Library  of  the 
University  of  ISorth  Carolina 

Endowed  bv  the  Dialectic  and  Philan- 
thropic  Societies 


3fi-J  /-Sa-S 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


Form  No.  471 


THE   L.IFJE 


OF 


MAJOR    GENERAL 

ANDREW     JACKSON: 

COMPRISING 

A  HISTORY 

OF    THE 

AR  IK  THE   SOUTV,, 

FROM  THE 

COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  CRl)  AliiN 

TO    THE 
TERMINATION  OP  HOSTILITIES  BEFOIU" 


ADDENDA : 

CONTAINING  A   BRIEF 

HISTORY   OF  THE  SEMINOLE    WAR, 

AND 

CESSION  AND  GOVERNMENT  OF  FLORIDA. 


BY  JOHN  HENRJ  EATON, 

SENATOR  OF  THE  UNITED  STATUS*  CONGRESS- 


Third  edUion. — Revised  mid  Corrected  by  Ihe  Author, 
— •.•>»e  ®  9m""i 

PUBUSHED  BY  M'CARTY  &  DAYI^, 

NO.   171   MARKET  STREET. 

1828. 


EASTERN  DISTRICT  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  to  tril; 

Uj.         be   IT  REMEMBERED,  that  on    the  fifteenth  day  of  May,  in  the 
^     fifty-second  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
A.  D.  1828,  M'CARTY  St.  DAVIS,  of  the  eaid  District,  have  deposited 
in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  they  claim  as  Pro- 
prietors, in  the  words  following,  lo  wit: — 

'rTTi^^  The  Life  of  Major  General  ANDREW  JACKSON  :  comprising  a 
History  of  the  War  in  the  South  ;  from  tlie  commencement  of  the  Creek  Campaign 
to  the  termination  of  hosLilitieci  before  New-Orleans.  Addenda :  containing  a  brief 
ni*tory  of  the  Seminole  War,  and  Cession  and  Government  of  Florida.  By  John 
Henry  Eaton,  Senator  of  the  United  States'  Congreee.  Third  edition.  Revised  and 
corrected  by  the  Author. 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled,  "  An  Act  for 
the  Encour?.gement  of  Learning,'  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books, 
t»)  the  author*  and  pix>prietor8  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned ;" 
And  also  to  the  act,  entitled,  "An  act  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled,  "An  Act  for 
tl)e  Encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to 
the  authors  and  proprietors  cf  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned;"  and 
extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  Arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etching  his- 
torical and  other  prints." 

D.  CALDWELL, 

Clerk  »f  the  Extern  District  of  Pevnsylvania, 


PREFACE. 

He  who  ventures  on  a  detail  of  events,  recent  in  the 
^recollection  of  the  world,  hazards  much,  and  can  scarcely 
PIxpect  to  avoid  ^censure.  The  numerous  actors  in,  and 
spectators  of,  the  scenes  portrayed,  entertaining  different 
^opinions  of  the  facts  as  they  transpired,  and  ascribing 
Hln]y|o  entirely  different  causes,  becomes  each  a  critic  in 
^5ls  turn,  accordingly  as  the  narrative  corresponds  with, 
or  is  variant  from  his  own  opinion. 

The  historian  who  traces  events,  at  a  period  remote 
from  their  occurrence,  stands  on  more  favourable  ground, 
and  has  fewer  difficulties  to  encounter:  he  then  proceeds 
in  his  undertaking  without  being  acted  upon  by  prejudice, 
or  influenced  by  partiality.  His  readers,  too,  are  simi- 
larly situated.  But  he  who  dravv  3  them  at  a  moment  when 
recollection  treasures  them,  is  oftentimes  placed  under 
the  influence  of  both — may  be  diverted  insensibly  from 
the  course  pointed  out  by  truth; — ascribe  events  to  mo- 
tives that  never  induced  them;— bestow  censure  where  it 
is  not  due,   and  commendation  where  it  is  not  merited. 

To  avoid  errors  so  common,  and  to  present  things  truly 
as  they  occurred,  has  been  the  wish  of  the  author,  and  he 
believes  he  has  succeeded.  He  believes  so,  because  he 
had  no  inducement  to  do  otherwise,  and  because,  having 
all  the  original  papers  in  his  possession,  and  the  opportu- 
nity of  constant  anH  repeated  intercourse  with  the  subject 
of  this  history,  there  was  no  avenue  to  error,  unless  from 
intention,  and  this  he  disclaims.  He  can  therefore  ven- 
ture upon  this  assurance,  that  what  is  detailed  may  be 
taken  as  correct. 

As  regards  the  execution  of  the  work,  he  has  not  much 
to  offer  to  the  consideration  of  the  reader.  He  is  willing 
to  trust  it  to  the  world,  without  preface  or  apology; — 
without  supplicating  its  charity  or  indulgence  in  its  favour: 
from  no  belief  that  ample  room  is  not  afforded  for  both  to 
be  exercised  in  his  behalf,  but  from  a  conviction  that  they 
are  seldom  or  never  extended,  and  that  none  has  a  right 
to  ask  for  them,  unless  under  peculiar  circumstances. 
Whether  he  be  competent  to  the  task,  is  the  duty  of  every 

tvJ 


IV  PREFACE. 

man  to  inquire,  before  he  undertakes  to  become  an  au- 
thor; no  sooner  does  he  appear  before  the  public  in  that 
character,  than  they  have  a  right  to  infer,  that  he  has  en- 
tire confidence  in  liis  own  qualifications,    and  therefore    , 
may,  with  propriety,  judge  him  "according to  his  works." 

lie  who  shall  read  what  is  written  with  a  determination 
to  be  displeased,   because  it  is  not  so  perfect  as  he  him- 
self could  have  made  it,  is  desired  to  remember,    tha||U| 
there  is  every  imaginable  difference  between  him  who  hall|HI 
bT^en  accustomed  to  such  pursuits,  and,  from  habit,  is  en- 
abled to  give  a  happy  arrangement  to  thought,  and  cor^^ 
rectness  to  expression,  and  one  who  carries  with  M^d^^l 
such   aid.      But  those  who  desire  a  correct  view  ol^^se^ 
masterly  exertions  which  constantly  hurried  their  actor  to^dl 
the  most  brilliant  and  uninterrupted  success — who  ca^Ji^l^l 
pleased  with  benevolence  and  generosity,  and  strength,  an c' 
nerve,  and  decision  of  character,   concentred  in  the  same 
breast — with  a  career,  which,  at  every  step,  evinced  an 
unshaken  determination  to  move  forward  for  the  benefit 
and  exaltation  of  his  country,  at  all  hazards,  and  at  every 
risk,  will  find  much   to  admire.      They  will  see  the  man, 
of  whom  they  have  already  heard  much,   fearlessly  en- 
countering danger,  and  erecting  himself  in  opposition  to 
every  design  that  came  in  collision  with  the  duty  he  owed 
to  the  station  he  occupied ;  and  who,  in  moments  of  ex- 
treme difficulty,  did  not  shrink  from  responsibility;  but, 
bringing  to  his  aid  the  slender  resources  within  his  reach, 
protected  and  saved  an  all-important  and  valuable  portion 
of  his  country,   at  a  time  when  her  Avarmest  votaries  re- 
garded her  cause,  in  that  quarter,   as  hopeless. 

It  was  desirable  to  avoid  in  the  narrative,  all  those  cir- 
cumstances in  which  General  Jackson  was  not  directly 
concerned;  but  as  the  design  was  to  give  a  complete  his- 
tory of  the  southern  war,  that  plan  has  been  pursued,  and 
some  events  have  been  briefly  adverted  to,  in  which  the 
Tieneral  had  no  immediate  agency. 

The  work,  such  as  it  is,  is  submitted  to  the  public; 
and  nothing  either  of  charity  or  favour,  supplicated  in  its 
behalf.  The  matter  is  important,  and  the  manner  of  pre- 
senting it,  if  defective,  may  at  least  prove  serviceable  to 
some  future  historian. 

JOHN  H.  EATON. 


THE  LIFE 


OF 


CHAPTER  I. 

■J  His  birth,  parentage,  family,  and  education. — Engages  in  the  Ameri- 
r'^i'ilSBft  Revolution,  and  is  shortly  after,  with  his  brother,  made  a  prison- 
er.— Their  treatment  and  sufferings.— Commences  the  study  of  law. 
— His  removal  to  the  western  country. — Anecdote. — Becomes  a 
member  of  the  Tennessee  convention,  and  afterwards  a  senator  in  the 
United  States'  congress. — Retires,  and  is  appointed  a  judge  of  the 
state  courts. — Declaration  of  war. — Tenders  the  services  of  2500 
volunteers  to  the  president. — Ordered  to  the  lower  country. — His 
descent  and  return,  and  discharge  of  the  troops. 

Andrew  Jackson  was  born  on  the  15th  day  of  March, 
1767.  His  father,  (Andrew)  the  youngest  son  of  his  fa- 
mily, emigrated  to  America  from  Ireland  during  the  year 
1765,  bringing  with  him  two  sons,  Hugh  and  Robert, 
both  very  young.  Landing  at  Charleston,  in  South  Ca- 
rolina, he  shortly  afterwards  purchased  a  tract  of  land,  in 
what  was  then  called  the  Waxsaw  settlement,  about  forty- 
five  miles  above  Camden;  at  which  place  the  subject  of 
this  history  was  born.  Shortly  after  his  birth,  his  father 
died,  leaving  three  sons  to  be  provided  for  by  their  mo- 
ther. She  appears  to  have  been  an  exemplary  woman, 
and  to  have  executed  the  arduous  duties  which  had  .de- 
volved on  her,  with  great  faithfulness  and  with  much  suc- 
cess. To  the  lessons  she  inculcated  on  the  youthful  minds 
of  her  sons,  was,  no  doubt,  owing,  in  a  great  measure, 
that  fixed  opposition  to  British  tyranny  and  oppression, 
which  afterwards  so  much  distinguished  them.  Often 
would  she  spend  the  winter's  evenings,  in  recounting  the 
sufferings  of  their  grandfather,  at  the  siege  of  Carrick- 


6  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOX. 

fergus,  and  the  oppressions  exercised  by  the  nobility  of 
Ireland,  over  the  labouring  poor;  impressing  it  upon 
them,  as  a  first  duty,  to  expend  their  lives,  if  it  should 
become  necessary,  in  defending  and  supporting  the  natu- 
ral rights  of  man. 

Inheriting  but  a  small  patrimony  from  their  father,  it 
was  impossible  that  all  the  sons  could  receive  an  expensive  _ 
education.    The  two  eldest  were  therefore  only  taught  tH(B 
rudiments  of  their  mother  tongue,  at  a  common  country 
school.     But  Andrew,  being  intended  by  his  mother  for 
the  ministry,  was  sent   to   a  flourishing  academy  at 
Waxsaw  meeting  house,  superintended  by  Mr.  Humphri! 
Here  he  was  placed  on  the  study  of  the  dead  languages^ 
Avhere  he  continued  until  the  revolutionary  Avar  extendinji 
its  ravages  into  that  section  of  South  Carolina,  rendered 
it  necessary  that  every  one  should  betake  himself  to  th  • 
American  standard,  seek  protection  with  the  enemy,  o 
flee  his  country.     It  was  not  an  alternative  that  admittec 
of  tedious  deliberation.   The  natural  ardour  of  his  tempei , 
deriving  encouragement  from  the  recommendations  of  his 
mother,  whose  feelings  were  not  less  alive  on  the  occasion 
than  his  own;  and , excited  by  those  sentiments  in  favour 
of  liberty,    with  which,  by  her  conversation,    his  mind 
had   been  early  endued,  quickly  determined  him  in  the 
course  to  be  pursued;  and  at  the  tender  age  of  fourteen, 
accompanied  by  his  brother  Robert,  he  hastened  to  the 
American  camp,  and  engaged  actively,  in  the  service  of 
his  country.     His    oldest   brother,   who    had    previously 
joined  the  army,  lost  his  life  at  the  battle  of  Stono,  from 
the  excessive  heat  of  the  weather,  and  the  fatigues  of  the 
day. 

Both  Andrew  and  Robert,  at  this  period,  were  pretty 
well  acquainted  with  the  manual  exercise,  and  had  some 
idea  of  the  different  evolutions  of  the  field,  having  been 
indulged  by  their  mother  in  attending  the  drill  and  gene- 
ral musters  of  the  neighbourhood. 

The  Americans  being  unequal,  as  well  from  the  inferi- 
ority'of  their  numbers,  as  their  discipline,  to  engage  the 
British  army  in  battle,  had  retired  into  the  interior  of 
North  Carolina;  but  when  they  leai-ned,  that  lord  Corn- 
wallis  had  crossed  the  Yadkin,  they  returned  in  small  de- 
tachments to  their  native  state.  On  their  arrival,  they 
found  lord  Rawdon  in  possession  of  Camden,  and  the 
whole  country  around  in  a  state  of  desolation.     The  Bri- 


CHAPTER  I. 


tish  commander  being  advised  of  the  return  of  the  settlers 
of  Waxsaw,  major  Coffin  was  despatched  with  a  corps 
of  light  dragoons,  a  company  of  infantry,  and  a  consi- 
derable number  of  tories,  for  their  capture  and  destruc- 
tion. Hearing  of  their  approach,  the  settlers,  without 
delay,  appointed  the  Waxsaw  meeting  house  as  a  place  of 
rendezvous,  that  they  might  the  better  collect  their  scat- 
red  strength,  and  concert  some  system  of  operations. 
About  forty  of  them,  had  accordingly  assembled  at  this 
point,  when  the  enemy  approached,  keeping  the  tories, 
^o  were  dressed  in  the  common  garb  of  the  country,  in 
K^nt,  whereby  this  little  band  of  patriots  was  completely 
deceived,  having  taken  them  for  captain  Nisbet's  company, 
in  expectation  of  which  they  had  been  waiting.  Eleven 
were  taken  prisoners ;  the  rest  with  difficulty  fled,  dispers- 
ing and  betaking  themselves  to  the  woods  for  concealment. 
Of  those  who  thus  escaped,  though  closely  pursued,  were 
Andrew  Jackson  and  his  brother,  who,  entering  a  secret 
bend  in  a  creek,  that  was  close  at  hand,  obtained  a  mo- 
mentary respite  from  danger,  and  avoided,  for  the  night, 
the  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The  next  day,  however,  having 
gone  to  a  neighbouring  house,  for  the  purpose  of  procur- 
ing something  to  eat,  they  were  broken  in  upon,  and  made 
prisoners,  by  Coffin's  dragoons,  and  a  party  of  tories  who 
accompanied  them.  Those  young  men,  with  a  view  to 
security,  had  placed  their  horses  in  the  wood,  on  the  mar- 
gin of  a  small  creek,  and  posted,  on  the  road  which  led 
by  the  house,  a  sentinel,  that  they  might  have  infor«ia- 
tion  of  any  approach,  and  in  time  to  be  able  to  elude  it. 
But  the  tories,  who  were  well  acquainted  with  the  coun- 
try and  the  passes  through  the  forest,  had,  unfortunately, 
passed  the  creek  at  the  very  point  Avhere  the  horses  and 
baggage  of  our  young  soldiers  were  deposited,  and  taken 
possession  of  them.  Having  done  this,  they  approached 
cautiously,  the  house,  and  were  almost  at  the  door  before 
they  were  discovered.  To  escape  was  impossible,  and 
both  were  made  prisoners.  Being  placed  under  guard, 
Andrew  was  ordered,  in  a  very  imperious  tone,  by  a  Bri- 
tish officer,  to  clean  his  boots,  which  had  become  muddied 
in  crossing  the  creek.  This  order  he  positively  and  pe- 
remptorily refused  to  obey;  alleging  that  he  looked  for 
such  treatment  as  a  prisoner  had  a  right  to  expect.  In- 
censed at  his  refusal,  the  officer  aimed  a  blow  at  his  head 
with  a  drawn  sword,   which  would,   very  probably,  have 


8  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

terminated  his  existence,  had  he  not  parried  its  effects  by 
throwing  up  his  left  hand,  on  which  he  received  a  severe 
wound,    the  mark  of  which  he  bears  to  this  hour.      His 
brother,  at  the  same  time,  for  a  similar  offence,  received 
a  deep  cut  on  the  head,  which  subsequently  occasioned  his 
death.     They  were  both  now  taken  to  jail,  where,  sepa- 
rated and  confined,  they  were  treated  with  marked  severity, 
until  a  few  days  after  the  battle  before  Camden,  w  hen,  iu||| 
consequence  of  a  partial  exchange,  effected  by  the  inter- 
cessions and  exertions  of  their  mother,  and  captain  Walker, 
of  the  militia,  they  were  both  released  from  confinement^^ 
Captain  Walker  had,  in  a  charge  on  the  rear  of  the  B^Pi 
tish  army,  succeeded  in  making  thirteen  prisoners,  whom 
he  gave  in  exchange  for  seven  Americans,  of  which  num 
ber  were  these  two  young  men.     Robert,  during  his  con 
finement  in  prison,  had  suffered  greatly;  the  wound  on  his 
head,  all  this  time,  having  never  been  dressed,   was  f< 
lowed  by  an  inflammation  of  the  brain,  which,  in  a  fer 
days  after  his  liberation,  brought  him  to  the  grave.     T_ 
add  to  the  afflictions  of  Andrew,  his  mother,  worn  down 
by  grief,   and  her  incessant  exertions  to  provide  clothing 
and  other  comforts  for  the  suffering  prisoners,  who  had 
been   taken  from  her  neighbourhood,    expired   in  a  few 
weeks  after  her  son,  near  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Charleston.    Andrew,  the  last  and  only  surviving 
child,  confined  to  a  bed  of  sickness,  occasioned  by  the 
sufferings  he  had  been  compelled  to  undergo,  whilst  a  pri- 
soner, and  by  exposure  on  his  returning  from  his  captivity, 
was  thus  left  in  the  wide  world,  without  a  human  being 
with  whom  he  could  claim  a  near  relationship.   The  small 
pox,  about  the  same  time,  having  made  its  appearance 
upon  him,  had  well  nigh  terminated  his  sorrows  and  his 
existence. 

Being  at  length  recovered  from  his  complicated  afflic- 
tions, he  entered  upon  the  enjoyment  of  his  estate,  which, 
although  small,  would  have  been  sufflcient,  under  prudent 
management,  to  have  completed  his  education,  on  the  li- 
beral scale  which  his  mother  had  designed.  Unfortu- 
nately, however,  he,  like  too  many  young  men,  sacrificing 
future  prospects  to  present  gratification,  expended  it  with 
rather  too  profuse  a  hand.  Coming,  at  length,  to  fore- 
see that  he  should  be  finally  obliged  to  rely  on  his  own  ex- 
ertions, for  support  and  success  in  life,  he  again  betook 
himself  to  his  studies  v.  ith  increased  industry.     He  re- 


CHAFER  I.  g 

commenced  under  Mr.  M'Culloch,  in  that  part  of  Carolina 
which  was  then  called  the  New  Acquisition,  near  Hill's 
iron  works.  Here  he  revised  the  languages,  devotinp-  a 
portion  of  his  time  to  a  desultory  course  of  studies. 

His  education  being  completed,  so  far  as  his  wasted  pa- 
trimony, and  the  limited  opportunities  then  afforded  in 
that  section  of  the  country,  would  permit,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  turned  his  attention  to  acquiring  a  profession, 
and  in  preparing  himself  to  enter  on  the  busy  scenes  of 
life.  The  pulpit,  for  which  he  had  been  designed  by  his 
mother,  was  now  abandoned  for  the  bar;  and,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1784,  he  repaired  to  Salisbury,  in  North  Carolina, 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law,  under  Spruce  M*Cay, 
Esq.  (afterwards  one  of  the  judges  of  that  state,)  and  sub- 
jjfiequently  continued  it  under  colonel  John  Stokes.  Having 
p'emained  at  Salisbury  until  the  winter  of  1786,  he  ob- 
lined  a  license  from  the  judges  to  practise  law,  and  con- 
id  in  the  state  until  the  spring  of  1788. 
le  observations  he  v/as  enabled,  during  this  time,  to 
make,  satisfied  him  that  this  state  presented  few  induce- 
'  ments  to  a  young  attorney ;  and  recollecting  that  he  stood 
a  solitary  individual  in  life,  without  relations  to  aid  him 
in  the  onset,  when  innumerable  difficulties  arise  and  re- 
tard success,  he  determined  to  seek  a  new  country.  But 
for  this,  he  might  have  again  returned  to  his  native  state; 
the  death,  however,  of  every  relation  he  had,  had  wiped 
away  all  those  endearing  recollections  and  circumstances 
which  warp  the  mind  to  the  place  of  its  nativity.  The 
western  parts  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  were,  about  this 
time,  often  spoken  of,  as  presenting  flattering  prospects  to 
adventurers.  He  immediately  determined  to  accompany 
judge  M'Nairy  thither,  who  had  been  appointed,  and  was 
going  out  to  hold  the  first  supreme  court  that  had  ever  sat 
in  the  state.  Having  reached  the  Holston,  they  ascertain- 
ed it  would  be  impossible  to  arrive  at  the  time  appointed 
for  the  session  of  the  court;  and  therefore  determined  to 
remain  in  that  section  of  country  until  fall,  They  re- 
commenced their  journey  in  October,  and  passing  through 
ail  extensive  uninhabited  country,  reached  Nashville  in  the 
same  month.  It  had  not  been  Jackson's  intention,  cer- 
tainly, to  make  Tennessee  the  place  of  his  future  resi- 
dence; his  visit  was  merely  experimental,  and  his  stay  re- 
mained to  be  determined  wy  the  advantages  that  might  be 
disclosed ;  but  finding,  soon  after  his  arrival,  that  a  con- 


10  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

siderable  opening  was  offered  for  the  success  of  a  young 
attorney,  he  determined  to  remain.  To  one  of  refined 
feelings,  the  prospect  before  him  was,  certainly,  not  of  an 
encouraging  cast.  As  in  all  newly  settled  countries  must 
be  the  case,  society  was  loosely  formed,  and  united  by  but 
few  of  those  ties  which  have  a  tendency  to  enforce  the  per- 
formance of  moral  duty,  and  the  right  execution  of  jus- 
tice. The  young  men  of  the  place,  adventurers  from  dif- 
ferent sections  of  the  country,  had  become  indebted  to  the 
merchants;  there  was  but  one  lawyer  in  the"  country,  and 
they  had  so  contrived,  as  to  retain  him  in  their  business; 
the  consequence  was,  that  the  merchants  were  entirely  de- 
prived of  the  means  of  enforcing  agamst  those  gentlemen 
the  execution  of  their  contracts.  In  this  state  of  things 
Jackson  made  his  appearance  at  Nashville,  and  while  the, 
creditor  class  looked  to  it  with  great  satisfaction,  the 
debtors  were  sorely  displeased.  Applications  were  im- 
mediately made  to  him  for  his  professional  services,  and. 
on  the  morning  after  his  arrival  he  issued  seventy  writsl 
To  those  prodigal  gentlemen,  it  was  an  alarming  circum- 
stance; their  fomier  security  was  impaired;  but  that  it 
might  not  wholly  depart,  they  determined  to  force  him, 
in  some  way  or  other,  to  leave  the  country;  and  to  effect 
this,  broils  and  quarrels  with  him  were  to  be  resorted  to. 
This,  however,  was  soon  abandoned,  satisfied,  by  the  first 
controversy  in  which  they  had  involved  him,  that  his  de- 
cision and  firmness  were  such  as  to  leave  no  hope  of  effect- 
ing any  thing  through  this  channel.  Disregarding  the 
opposition  raised  to  him,  he  continued,  with  care  and  in- 
dustry, to  press  forward  in  his  professional  course,  and 
his  attention  soon  brought  him  forward,  and  introduced 
him  to  a  profitable  practice.  Shortly  afterwards,  he  was 
appointed  by  Washington,  attorney  general  for  the  district, 
in  which  capacity  he  continued  to  act  for  several  years. 

Indian  depredations  being  then  frequent  on  the  Cumber- 
jand,  every  man,  of  necessity,  became  a  soldier.  Unas- 
sisted by  the  government,  the  settlers  were  forced  to  rely 
for  security  on  their  own  bravery  and  exertions.  Although 
young,  no  person  was  more  distinguished  than  Andrew 
Jackson,  in  defending  the  country  against  these  predatory 
incursions  of  the  savages,  who  continually  harassed  the 
frontiers,  and  not  unfrequently  approached  the  heart  of 
the  settlements,  which  were  thin,  but  not  widely  extended. 


CHAPTER  I.  11 

He  aided  alike  in  garrisoning  the  forts,  and  in  pursuing 
and  chastising  the  enemy. 

In  the  year  1796,  having,  by  his  patriotism,  firmness, 
and  talents,  secured  to  himself  a  distinguished  standing 
with  all  classes,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  members  of  the 
convention,  for  establishing  a  constitution  for  the  state. 
His  good  conduct  and  zeal  for  the  public  interest,  and  the 
republican  feelings  and  sentiments  which  were  conspicu- 
ously disclosed  in  the  formation  and  arrangement  of  this 
instrument,  brought  him  more  prominently  to  view;  and, 
without  proposing  or  soliciting,  he  was,  in  the  same  year, 
elected  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives,  in  con- 
gress, for  the  state  of  Tennessee.  The  following  year, 
his  reputation  continuing  to  increase,  and  every  bosom 
feeling  a  wish  to  raise  him  to  still  higher  honours,  he  was 
chosen  a  senator  of  the  United  States  congress,  and  took 
his  seat  on  the  22d  day  of  November,  1797.  About  the 
ira|ddle  of  April,  business  of  an  important  and  private  na- 
ture, imposed  on  him  the  necessity  of  asking  leave  of  ab- 
sence, and  returning  home.  Leave  was  granted,  and  be- 
fore the  next  session  he  resigned  his  seat.  He  was  but  a 
little  more  than  thirty  years  of  age,  and  hence,  scarcely 
eligible,  by  the  constitution,  at  the  time  he  was  elected. 
The  sedition  law,  about  which  so  much  concern  and  feel- 
ing has  been  manifested  through  the  country,  was  intro- 
duced int!o  the  senate,  by  Mr.  Lloyd,  of  Maryland,  in  June, 
and  passed  that  body  on  the  4th  of  July  following;  hence 
the  name  of  Jackson,  owing  to  the  leave  of  absence  which 
had  been  granted  him  in  April,  does  not  appear  on  the 
journals.  On  the  alien  law,  however,  and  the  effort  to  re- 
peal the  stamp  act,  he  was  present,  resting  in  the  mino- 
rity, and  on  the  side  of  the  Republican  principles  of  the 
country.* 

The  state  of  Tennessee,  on  its  admission  into  the  Union, 
comprising  but  one  military  division,  and  general  Con- 
way, who  commanded  it,  as  major-general,  dying  about 
this  time,  Jackson,  without  being  consulted  on  the  subject, 

•  The  names  of  those  senators  who  voted  for  a  repeal  of  the  alien 
law,  and  stamp  act,  so  obnoxious  to  the  republicans  of  this  country,  at 
the  session  of  1798,  were  Anderson,  Bloodworth,  Brown,  Foster, 
Green,  Jackson^  Langdon,  Livermore,  Martin,  Mason,  Tazewell. 
Against  the  repeal.  Chapman,  Clayton,  Goodhue,  Hillhouse,  Howard, 
I^atimer,  Lawrence,  Lloyd,  North,  Paine,  Read,  Rutherford,  Sedg- 
wick, Stockton,  Tracy. 


12  LIFE  OF  GENER.A.L  JACKSON. 

and  without  the  least  intimation  of  what  was  in  agitation, 
was,  as  the  constitution  of  the  state  directs,  chosen  by 
the  field  officers,  to  succeed  him;  which  appointment  he 
continued  to  hold  until  May,  1814,  when  he  was  consti- 
tuted a  major-general  in  the  United  States'  service. 

Becoming  tired  of  political  life,  for  the  intrigues  of 
which  he  declared  himself  unqualified,  and  having  for  two 
years  voted  in  the  minority  in  congress,  he  resigned,  after 
the  first  session,  his  seat  in  the  senate.  To  this  measure 
he  was  strongly  induced,  from  a  desire  to  make  way  for 
general  Smith,  who,  because  of  his  more  advanced  age, 
he  conjectured,  would  be  able  to  render  more  important 
services  to  the  government  than  himself.  His  country, 
however,  unwilling  that  his  talents  should  remain  inactiv* 
and  unemployed,  again  demanded  h%  services.  Imme- 
diately after  his  resignation,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state.  Sensibly  aliv 
to  the  difficult  duties  of  this  station,  distrusting  his  legai 
acquirements,  and  impressed  with  the  great  injury  he 
might  produce  to  suitors,  by  erroneous  decisions,  he  ad 
vanced  to  the  office  with  reluctance,  and  in  a  short  timi^ 
resigned,  leaving  it  open  for  those,  who,  he  believed,  from 
longer  experience,*  were  better  qualified  than  himself,  to 
discharge  its  intricate  and  important  duties.  Unambitious 
of  those  distinctions  and  honours  which  young  men  are 
usually  proud  to  possess;  finding  too,  that  his  circum- 
stances and  condition  in  life,  were  not  such  as  to  permit 
his  time  and  attention  to  be  devoted  to  public  matters,  he 
determined  to  yield,  them  into  others'  hands,  and  to  devote 
himself  to  agricultural  pursuits;  and  accordingly  settled 
himself  on  an  excellent  farm,  ten  miles  from  Nashville, 
on  the  Cumberland  river;  where,  for  several  years,  he  en- 
joyed all  the  comforts  of  domestic  and  social  intercourse. 
Abstracted  from  the  busy  scenes  of  public  life,  pleased 
with  retirement,  surrounded  by  friends  whom  he  loved, 
and  who  entertained  for  him  the  highest  veneration  and 
respect,  and  blessed  with  an  amiable  and  affixtionate  con- 
sort, nothing  seemed  wanting  to  the  completion  of  that 
happiness  which  he  so  anxiously  desired  whilst  in  office. 

But  a  period  approached,  when  all  these  endearments 
were  again  to  be  abandoned,  for  the  duties  of  more  active 
life.  Great  Britain,  by  multiplied  outrages  on  our  rip^hts, 
as  an  independent  and  neutral  nation,  had  provoked  from 
our  government  a  declaration  of  war  against  her.     This 


CHAPTER  I.  13 

measure,  though  founded  in  abundant  cause,  liad  been 
ong  forborne,  and  every  attempt  at  conciliation  made, 
without  effect:  when,  at  length,  it  was  resorted  to,  as  the 
only  alternative  that  could  preserve  the  honour  and  dignity 
of  the  nation,  General  Jackson,  ever  devoted  to  the  inte. 
rest  of  his  country,  from  the  moment  of  the  declaration, 
knew  no  wish  so  strong  as  that  of  entering  into  her  ser- 
vice, against  a  power,  which,  independent  of  public  con- 
siderations, he  had  many  private  reasons  for  disliking.  In 
her,  he  could  trace  sufferings  and  injuries  received,  and 
the  efficient  cause,  why,  in  early  life,  he  had  been  left  for- 
lorn and  wretched,  without  a  single  relation  in  the  world. 
His  proud  and  inflexible  mind,  however,  could  not  ven- 
ture to  solicit  an  appointment  in  the  army,  which  was  aboul 
to  be  raised.  He  accordingly  remained  wholly  unknown, 
until,  at  the  head  of  the  militia,  employed  against  the 
Creek  Indians,  his  constant  vigilance,  and  the  splendour 
of  his  victories,  apprised  the  general  government  of  those 
great  military  talents  which  he  so  eminently  possessed, 
and  conspicuously  displayed,  when  opportunities  for  ex- 
erting them  were  afforded. 

The  acts  of  congress,  of  the  6th  of  February,  and  July, 
1812,  afforded  the  means  of  bringing  into  view  a  display 
of  those  powers,  which,  being  unknown,  under  other  cir- 
cumstances, unfortunately,  might  have  slumbered  in  in- 
action. Under  the  authority  of  these  acts,  authorizing  the 
president  to  accept  the  services  of  fifty  thousand  volun- 
teers, he  addressed  the  citizens  of  his  division,  and  twenty- 
five  hundred  flocked  to  his  standard.  A  tender  of  them 
having  been  made,  and  the  offer  accepted,  in  November 
he  received  orders  to  place  himself  at  their  head  and  to 
descend  the  Mississippi,  for  the  defence  of  the  lower 
country,  which  was  then  supposed  to  be  in  danger.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  10th  of  December,  those  troops  ren- 
dezvoused at  Nashville,  prepared  to  advance  to  the  place 
of  their  destination;  and,  although  the  weather  was  then 
excessively  severe,  and  the  ground  covered  with  snow,  no 
troops  could  have  displayed  greater  firmness.  The  gene- 
ral was  every  where  with  them,  inspiring  them  with  the 
ardour  that  animated  his  own  bosom.  The  chee  ful  spirit 
with  which  they  submitted  to  hardships,  and  bore  priva- 
tions, on  the  very  onset  of  their  military  career,  as  well 
as  the  order  and  subordination  they  so  readily  observed, 

B 


14  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

were  happy  presages  of  what  was  to  be  expected,  when 
they  should  be  directed  to  face  an  enemy. 

Having  procured  supplies,  and  made  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements for  an  active  campaign,  they  proceeded,  the 
7th  of  January,  on  their  journey;  and,  decending  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi,  through  cold  and  ice,  arrived,  and  halted 
at  Natchez.  Here  Jackson  had  been  instructed  to  remain, 
until  he  should  receive  further  orders.  Having  chosen  a 
healthy  site  for  the  encampment  of  his  troops,  about  two 
miles  from  Washington,  he  devoted  his  time,  with  the  ut- 
most industry,  to  training  and  preparing  them  for  active 
service.  The  clouds  of  war,  however,  in  that  quarter, 
having  blown  over,  an  order  was  received  from  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  dated  the  5th  of  January,  directing  him,  on 
the  receipt  thereof,  to  dismiss  those  under  his  command, 
from  service,  and  to  take  measures  for  delivering  over  every 
article  of  public  property,  in  his  possession,  to  brigadier 
general  Wilkinson.  When  this  order  reached  his  camp, 
there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty  on  the  sick  report,  fifty-six 
of  whom  were  unable  to  raise  their  heads,  and  almost  the 
whole  of  them  destitute  of  the  means  of  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  their  return.  The  consequence  of  a  strict  com- 
pliance with  the  secretary's  order,  inevitably  would  have 
been,  that  many  of  the  sick  must  have  perished,  whilst 
most  of  the  others,  from  their  destitute  condition  would, 
of  necessity,  have  been  compelled  to  enlist  in  the  regular 
army,  under  general  Wilkinson.  Such  alternatives  were 
neither  congenial  with  their  general's  wishes,  nor  such  as 
this  band  of  volunteers  had  expected,  on  adventuring  with 
him  in  the  service  of  their  country ;  he  had  carried  them, 
from  home,  and,  the  fate  of  war  and  disease  apart,  it  was 
his  duty,  he  believed,  to  bring  them  back.  Whethier  an 
expectation  that,  by  this  plan,  many  of  them  would  be 
compelled  into  the  regular  ranks,  had  formed  any  part  of 
the  motive  that  occasioned  the  order  for  their  discharge, 
at  so  great  a  distance  from  home,  cannot  be  known;  and 
it  would  be  uncharitable  to  insinuate  against  the  govern- 
ment so  serious  and  foul  an  accusation,  without  the  strong- 
est evidence  to  support  it.  Be  this  as  it  may,  General 
Jackson  could  not  think  of  sacrificing  or  injuring  an  army 
that  had  shown  such  devotedness  to  their  country;  and  he 
determined  to  disregard  the  order,  and  march  them  again 
to  their  homes,  where  they  had  been  embodied,  rather  than 
discharge  them  where  they  would  be  exposed  to  the  great- 


CHAPTER  I.  15 

est  hardships  and  dangers.  To  this  measure  he  was 
prompted,  not  only  by  the  reasons  ah-eady  mentioned,  but 
by  the  consideration,  that  many  of  the  troops  under  his 
command  were  young  men,  the  children  of  his  neighbours 
and  acquaintances,  who  had  delivered  them  into  his  hands, 
as  to  a  guardian,  who,  with  parental  solicitude,  v/ould 
watch  over  and  protect  their  welfare.  To  have  abandoned 
them,  therefore,  at  such  a  time,  and  under  such  circum.- 
stances,  would  have  drawn  on  him  the  merited  censure  of 
the  most  deserving  part  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  sensi- 
bly wounded  his  own  generous  feelings.  Add  to  this, 
those  young  men  who  were  confined  by  sickness,  learning 
the  nature  of  the  order  he  had  received,  implored  him, 
with  tears  in  their  eyes,  not  to  abandon  them  in  so  great 
an  extremity,  reminding  him,  at  the  same  time,  of  his  as- 
surances, that  he  would  be  to  them  as  a  father;  and  of  the 
implicit  confidence  they  had  placed  in  his  word.  This 
,was  an  appeal,  which  it  would  have  been  difficult  for  the 
feelings  of  Jackson  to  have  resisted,  had  it  been  without 
the  support  of  other  weighty  considerations;  but,  influ- 
enced by  them  all,  he  had  no  hesitation  in  coming  to  a  de- 
termination. 

Having  made  known  his  resolution  to  the  field  officers 
of  his  division,  it  met,  apparently,  their  approbation ;  but, 
after  retiring  from  his  presence,  they  assembled  late  at 
night,  in  secret  caucus,  and  proceeded  to  recommend  to 
him  an  abandonment  of  his  purpose,  and  an  immediate 
discharge  of  his  troops.  Great  as  was  the  astonishment, 
which  this  measure  excited  in  the  General,  it  produced  a 
still  higher  sentiment  of  indignation.  In  reply,  he  urged 
the  duplicity  of  their  conduct,  and  reminded  them,  that 
although  to  those  who  possessed  funds  and  health,  such  a 
course  could  produce  no  inconvenience,  yet  to  the  unfor- 
tunate soldier,  who  was  alike  destitute  of  both,  no  measure 
could  be  more  calamitous.  He  concluded  by  telling  them, 
that  his  resolution  not  having  been  hastily  concluded  on, 
nor  bottomed  on  light  considerations,  was  unalterably 
fixed;  and  that  immediate  preparations  must  be  made  for 
carrying  into  execution  the  determination  he  had  formed. 

He  lost  no  time  in  making  known  to  the  secretary  of  war 
the  resolution  he  had  adopted ;  to  disregard  the  order  he 
had  given,  and  to  return  his  army  to  the  place  where  he 
had  received  it.  He  painted  in  strong  terms  the  evils 
which  the  course  pursued  by  the  government  was  calcu 


16  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

lated  to  produce,  and  expressed  the  astonishment  he  felt, 
that  it  should  have  originated  with  the  famous  author  of 
the  "Newburg  Letters,"  the  once  redoubted  advocate  of 
soldiers'  rights. 

General  Wilkinson,  to  vi^hom  the  public  property  was 
directed  to  be  delivered,  learning  the  determination  which 
had  been  taken  by  Jackson,  to  march  his  troops  back,  and 
to  take  with  them  so  much  of  that  property  as  should  be 
necessary  to  their  return,  in  a  letter  of  solemn  and  myste- 
rious import,  admonished  him  of  the  consequences  which 
were  before  him,  and  of  the  awful  and  dangerous  respon- 
sibility he  was  taking  on  himself,  by  so  bold  a  measure. 
General  Jackson  replied,  that  his  conduct,  and  the  con- 
sequences to  which  it  might  lead,  had  been  deliberately 
weighed,  and  well  considered,  and  that  he  was  prepared 
to  abide  the  result,  whatever  it  might  be.  Wilkinson  had 
previously  given  orders  to  his  officers,  to  recruit  from 
Jackson's  army;  they  were  advised,  however,  on  their  first 
appearance,  that  those  troops  were  already  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  and  that  thus  situated,  they  should 
not  be  enlisted;  and  that  he  would  arrest  and  confine  the 
first  officer  vv'ho  dared  to  ciiter  his  encampment  with  any 
such  object  in  view.  , 

The  quarter-master,  having  been  ordered  to  furnish  the 
necessary  transportation,  for  the  conveyance  of  the  sick 
and  the  baggage  to  Tennessee,  immediately  set  about  the 
performance  of  the  task;  but,  as  the  event  proved,  with 
not  the  least  intention  of  executing  it.  Still,  he  continued 
to  keep  up  the  semblance  of  exertion;  and  the  better  to 
deceive,  the  very  day  before  that  which  had  been  appoint- 
ed for  breaking  up  the  encampment,  and  commencing  the 
return  march,  eleven  wagons  arrived  there  by  his  order. 
The  next  morning,  however,  when  every  thing  was  about 
to  be  packed  up,  acting  doubtless  from  orders,  and  intend- 
ing to  produce  embarrassment,  the  quarter-master  entered 
the  encampment,  and  discharged  the  whole.  He  was 
grossly  mistaken  in  the  man  he  had  to  deal  with,,  and  had 
now  played  his  tricks  too  far  to  be  able  to  accomplish  the 
object  which  he  had,  no  doubt,  been  instructed  to  effect. 
Disregarding  their  dismissal,  so  evidently  designed  to  pre- 
vent his  marching  back  his  men.  General  Jackson  seized 
upon  these  wagons,  yet  within  his  lines,  and  compelled 
them  to  proceed  to  the  transportation  of  his  sick.  It  de- 
serves to  be  recollected,  that  this  quarter-master,  so  soon 


CHAPTER  I.  17 

as  he  received  directions  for  furnishing  transportation,  had 
despatched  an  express  to  General  Wilkinson:  and  there 
can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  the  course  of  duplicity  he  af- 
terwards pursued,  was  a  concerted  plan  between  him  and 
that  general,  to  defeat  the  design  of  Jackson ;  compel  him 
to  abandon  the  course  he  had  adopted;  and,  in  this  way, 
draw  to  the  regular  army  many  of  the  soldiers,  who,  from 
necessity,  would  be  driven  to  enlist.  In  this  attempt,  they 
were  fortunately  disappointed.  Adhering  to  his  original 
purpose,  he  successfully  resisted  every  stratagem  of  Wil- 
kinson, and  marched  the  whole  of  his  division  to  the  sec- 
tion of  country  whence  they  had  been  drawn,  and  dismiss- 
ed them  from  service,  as  he  had  been  instructed. 

To  present  an  example  that  might  buoy  up  the  sinking 
spirits  of  his  troops,  in  the  long  and  arduous  march  be- 
fore them,  he  yielded  up  his  horses  to  the  sick,  and  trudg- 
ing on  foot,  encountered  all  the  hardships  that  were  met 
by  the  soldiers.  It  was  at  a  time  of  year  when  the  roads 
were  extremely  bad,  and  the  sv/amps,  lying  in  their  pass- 
age, deep  and  full;  yet,  under  these  circumstances,  he 
placed  before  his  troops  an  example  of  patience  and  hard- 
ship that  lulled  to  silence  all  complaints,  and  won  to  him, 
still  stronger  than  before,  the  esteem  and  respect  of  every 
one.  On  arriving  at  Nashville,  he  communicated  to  the 
president  of  the  United  States  the  course  he  had  pursued, 
and  the  reasons  that  had  induced  it.  If  it  had  become  ne- 
cessary, he  had  sufficient  grounds  on  which  he  could  have 
justified  his  conduct.  Had  he  suffered  General  Wilkinson 
to  have  accomplished  what  v/as  clearly  his  intention,  al- 
though an  event  which  might,  at  the  moment,  have  bene- 
fited the  service,  by  adding  an  increased  strength  to  the 
army,  yet  the  example  would  have  been  of  so  serious  and 
exceptionable  a  character,  that  injury  would  have  been  the 
final  and  unavoidable  result.  Whether  the  intention  of 
thus  forcing  these  men  to  enlist  into  the  regular  ranks, 
had  its  existence  under  the  direction  of  the  government, 
or  not,  such  would  have  been  the  universal  belief;  and  all 
would  have  felt  a  deep  abhorrence,  at  beholding  the  patri- 
ots of  the  country  drawn  off  from  their  homes,  under  pre- 
tence of  danger,  whilst  the  concealed  design  was,  by  in-' 
creasing  their  necessities,  at  a  distance  from  their  resi- 
dence, to  compel  them  to  an  act  which  they  would  have 
abstained  from  under  different  circumstances.  His  con- 
B  2 


18  LIFE  or  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

duct,  terrible  as  it  first  appeared,  was  in  the  end  approved, 
and  the  expenses  incurred  directed  to  be  paid  by  the  go- 
vernment 


CHAPTER  II. 

Indian  preparation  for  hostilities. — Tecumseh  arrives  amongst  the 
southern  tribes;  liis  intiigues. — Civil  wars  of  the  Creeks. — De- 
struction of,  and  butchery  at  Fort  Mimms. — Expedition  against  the 
Indians. — Jackson  unites  with  the  army,  and  enters  the  enemy's 
country. — Scarcity  of  s applies  in  his  camp. — Leams  the  savages 
are  embodied. — His  address  to  his  ti-oops. — Detaches  General  Cof- 
fee across  the  Coosa. — Battle  of  Tallusliatchee.  ^j 

The  volunteers,  who  had  descended  the  river,  having 
been  discharged,  early  in  May,  there  was  little  expecta- 
tion that  they  would  again  be  called  for.  Tennessee  was 
too  remotely  situated  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  to  ex- 
pect their  services  would  be  required  for  her  defence,  and 
hitherto  the  British  had  discovered  no  serious  intention 
of  waging  operations  against  any  part  of  Louisiana.  Their 
repose,  however,  was  not  of  long  duration.  The  Creek 
Indians,  inhabiting  the  country  lying  between  the  Chata- 
hochee  and  Tombigbee,  and  extending  from  the  Tennessee 
river  to  the  Florida  line,  had  lately  manifested  strong 
symptoms  of  hostility  towards  the  United  States,  from 
which  they  had  received  yearly  pensions,  and  every  as- 
sistance which  the  most  liberal  policy  could  bestow.  This 
disposition  was  greatly  strengthened,  through  means  used 
by  the  northern  Indians,  who  were  then  making  preparations 
for  a  war  against  the  United  States,  and  who  wished  to  en- 
gage the  southern  tribes  in  the  same  enterprise.  This  they 
believed  to  be  of  great  importance;  as,  by  assailing  the 
whole  line  of  our  frontiers,  at  the  same  time,  they  would 
be  able,  at  once,  to  gratify  their  vengeance,  and  to  enrich 
themselves  with  plunder. 

An  artful  impostor  had,  about  this  time,  sprung  up 
among  the  Shawnees,  who,  by  passing  for  a  prophet,  com- 
missioned by  "the  Great  Spirit,"  to  communicate  his 
mandates  and  assurances  to  his  red  children,  had  acquired, 
among  his  own  and  the  neighbouring  tribes,  a  most  asto- 
nishing influence^  Clothed,  as  they  believed  him  to  be, 
with  such  high  powers,  they  listened  to  his  extravagant 


CHAPTER   II.  19 

doctrines,  and  m  them  fully  confided.  In  a  little  time,  he 
succeeded  in  kindling  a  phrensy  and  rage  against  the  Ame- 
ricans, which  soon  after  burst  forth  in  acts  of  destructive 
violence.  His  brother,  Tecumseh,  who  became  so  famous 
during  the  war,  and  who  was  killed  subsequently,  at  the 
battle  of  the  Thames,  was  despatched  to  the  southern 
tribes,  to  excite  in  them  the  san.e  temper.  To  the  Creeks, 
as  by  far  the  most  numerous  and  powerful,  as  well  as  the 
most  liable,  from  their  situation  and  habits,  to  be  influ- 
enced by  his  suggestions,  he  directed  his  principal  atten- 
tion. Having  entered  their  nation,  some  time  in  the  spring 
of  1812,  he  repaired  to  Tookaubatcha,  where  he  had  re- 
peated conferences  with  the  chiefs;  but  not  meeting  with 
the  encouragement  he  expected,  he  returned  to  the  Alaba- 
ma, which  he  had  previously  visited,  and  there  commenced 
his  operations. 

Finding  here  several  leaders  of  great  influence,  who  rea- 
dily entered  into  his  views,  he  was  enabled  to  carry  on  his 
schemes  with  greater  success.    Deriving  his  powers  from 
his  brother,  the  Prophet,  whose  extraordinary  commission 
and  endowments  were  well  understood  by  all  the  neigh- 
bouring tribes  in  the  south,  his  authority  was  regarded 
with  the  highest  veneration.     He  strongly  interdicted  all 
intercourse  with  the  whites,  and  prevailed  on  the  greater 
part  of  the  Alabama  Indians  to  throw  aside  the  implements 
and  clothing  which  that  intercourse  had  furnished,   and 
return  again  to  their  savage  state,  from  which  he  repre- 
sented them  as  highly  culpable  for  having  suffered  them- 
selves to  be  estranged.     In  a  word,  no  means  were  left 
untried  to  excite  them  to  the  most  deadly  animosity  and 
cruel  war.     To  afford  additional  weight  to  his  councils, 
this  designing  missionary  gave  assurances  of  aid  and  sup- 
port from  Great  Britain;  whose  power  and  riches  he  re- 
presented as  almost  without  limits,  and  quite  sufficient  for 
the  subjugation  of  the  United  States.      So  considerable  an 
influence  did  his  intrigues  and  discourses  obtain  over  the 
minds  of  many,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  the  most  turbu- 
lent of  them  could  be  restrained  from  running  immediately 
to  arms,  and  committing  depredations  on  the  exposed  fron- 
tiers. This  hasty  measure,  however,  he  represented  as  cal- 
culated to  defeat  the  great  plan  of  operations  which  he  was 
labouring  to  concert;  and  enjoined  forbearance,  until  the 
moment  should  arrive,  when,  all  their  preparations  being 
ready,  they  might  strike  a  general  and  decisive  blow;  in 


20  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  mean  time,  they  were  to  be  industriously  employed  in 
collecting  arms  and  ammunition,  and  other  necessary  im- 
plements of  war. 

Having  ordained  a  chief  prophet,  whose  word  was  to  be 
regarded  as  infallible,  and  whose  directions  were  to  be  im- 
plicitly followed;  and  established  a  regular  gradation  of 
inferior  dependents,  to  disseminate  his  doctrines  through 
the  different  parts  of  the  nation,  Tecumseh  set  out  to  his 
own  tribe,  accompanied  by  several  of  the  natives. 

From  this  time,  a  regular  communication  was  maintain- 
ed between  the  Creeks  and  the  northern  tribes,  in  relation 
to  the  great  enterprise  which  they  were  concerting  toge- 
ther; whilst  the  parties,  carrying  it  on,  committed  fre- 
quent depredations  on  the  frontier  settlers.  By  one  of 
these,  in  the  summer  of  1812,  several  families  had  been 
murdered  in  a  shocking  manner,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Ohio;  and  shortly  afterwards,  another  party,  entering  the 
limits  of  Tennessee,  under  circumstances  of  still  greater 
barbarity,  butchered  two  families  of  women  and  children- 
Similar  outrages  were  committed  on  the  frontiers  of  Geor- 
gia, and  were  continued,  at  intervals,  on  the  inhabitants 
of  Tennessee,  along  her  southern  boundary. 

These  multiplied  outrages  at  length  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  general  government,  and  application  was  made, 
through  their  agent,  (Colonel  Hawkins,)  to  the  principal 
chiefs  of  the  nation,  who^  desirous  of  preserving  their 
friendly  relations  with  the  United  States,  resolved  to  pu- 
nish the  murderers  with  death;  and  immediately  appoint- 
ed a  party  of  warriors  to  carry  their  determination  into 
execution.  No  sooner  was  this  done,  than  the  spirit  of 
the  greater  part  of  the  nation,  which,  from  policy,  had 
been  kept  in  a  considerable  degree,  dormant,  suddenly 
burst  to  a  flame,  and  kindled  into  civil  war. 

It  was  not  difficult  for  the  friends  of  those  murderers, 
who  had  been  put  to  death,  to  prevail  on  others,  who  se- 
cretly applauded  the  acts  for  which  they  suffered,  to  enter 
warmly  into  their  resentments  against  those  who  had  been 
concerned  in  bringing  them  to  punishment.  An  occasion, 
as  they  believed,  was  now  presented  which  fully  autho- 
rized them  to  throw  aside  all  those  injunctions  of  secrecy, 
with  regard  to  their  hostile  intentions,  which  had  been  im- 
posed on  them  by  Tecumseh  and  their  prophets.  This 
restraint,  which,  hitherto,  they  had  regarded  with  much 
difficulty,  they  now  resolved  to  lay  aside,  and  to  execute  at 


CHAPTER   II.  ^1 

once  their  insatiate  and  long-projected  vengeamce,  not  only 
on  the  white  people,  but  on  those  of  their  own  nation,  who, 
by  this  last  act  of  retaliatory  justice,  had  unequivocally 
shown  a  disposition  to  preserve  their  friendship  with  the 
former.  The  cloak  of  concealment  being  now  thrown 
aside,  the  war  clubs  were  immediately  seen  in  every  sec- 
tion of  the  nation;  but  more  particularly  among  the  nu- 
merous hordes  residing  near  the  Alabama.  Brandishing 
them  in  their  hands,  they  rushed,  in  the  first  instance,  on 
those  of  their  own  countrymen  who  had  shown  a  disposi- 
tion to  preserve  their  relations  with  the  United  States,  and 
obliged  them  to  retire  towards  the  white  settlements,  and 
place  themselves  in  forts,  to  escape  the  first  ebullition  of 
their  rage.  Encouraged  by  this  success,  and  their  num- 
bers, which  hourly  increased,  and  infatuated  to  the  highest 
degree  by  the  predictions  of  their  prophets,  who  assured 
them  that  ''the  Great  Spirit"  was  on  their  side,  and  would 

(enable  them  to  triumph  over  all  their  enemies,  they  began 
to  make  immediate  preparations  for  extending  their  ra- 
vages to  the  white  settlements.  Fort  Mimms,  situated  in 
the  Tensaw  settlement,  in  the  Mississippi  territory,  was 
the  first  point  destined  to  satiate  their  cruelty  and  ven- 
geance. It  contained,  at  that  time,  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  under  the  command  of  major  Beasley,  besides 
a  considerable  number  of  women  and  children,  who  had 
betaken  themselves  to  it  for  security.  Having  collected  a 
supply  of  ammunition,  from  the  Spaniards  at  Pensacola, 
and  assembled  their  warriors,  to  the  number  of  six  or  se- 
ven hundred,  the  war  party,  commanded  by  Weatherford, 
a  distinguished  chief  of  the  nation,  on  the  30th  of  August 
commenced  their  assault  on  the  fort;  and  having  succeeded 
in  carrying  it,  put  to  death  nearly  three  hundred  persons, 
including  women  and  children,  with  the  most  savage  bar- 
barity. The  slaughter  was  indiscriminate;  mercy  was  ex- 
tended to  none;  and  the  tomahawk,  at  the  same  stroke, 
often  cleft  the  mother  and  the  child.  But  seventeen  of  the 
whole  number,  in  the  fort,  escaped,  to  bring  intelligence 
of  the  dreadful  catastrophe.  This  monstrous  and  unpro- 
voked outrage  no  sooner  reached  Tennessee,  than  the 
whole  state  was  thrown  into  a  ferment,  and  nothing  was 
thought  or  spoken  of  but  retaliatory  vengeance.  Consi- 
derable excitement  had  already  been  produced  by  brutali- 
ties of  earlier  date,  and  measures  had  been  adopted  by  the 
governor,  in  conformity  with  instructions  from  the  secre- 


22  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

tary  of  war,  for  commencing  a  campaign  against  them; 
but  the  massacre  at  Fort  Mimms,  which  threatened  to  be 
followed  by  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Mobile  and  Tom- 
bigbee  settlements,  inspired  a  deep  and  universal  senti- 
ment of  solicitude,  and  an  earnest  wish  for  speedy  and  ef- 
fectual operations.  The  anxiety  felt  on  the  occasion,  was 
greatly  increased  from  an  apprehension  that  General  Jack- 
son would  not  be  able  to  command.  He  was  the  only  man, 
known  in  the  state,  who  was  believed  qualified  to  discharge 
the  arduous  duties  of  the  station,  and  who  could  carry 
with  him  the  complete  confidence  of  his  soldiers.  He 
was  at  this  time  seriously  indisposed,  and  confined  to  his 
room,  with  a  fractured  arm;  but  although  this  apprehen- 
sion was  seriously  indulged,  arrangements  were  in  pro- 
gress, and  measures  industriously  taken,  to  prepare  and 
press  the  expedition  with  every  possible  despatch. 

A  numerous  collection  of  respectable  citizens,  who  con- 
vened at  Nashville  on  the  18th  of  September,  for  the  pur-    i 
pose  of  devising  the  most  effectual  ways  and  means  of  af-   I 
lording  protection  to  their  brethren  in  distress,  after  con-    ' 
ferring  with  the  governor  and  General  Jackson,  who  was  •  | 
still  confined  to  his  room,  strongly  advised  the  propriety 
of  marching  a  sufficient  army  into  the  heart  of  the  Creek 
nation ;  and  accordingly  recommended  this  measure,  with 
great  earnestness,  to  the  legislature,  which,  in  a  few  days 
afterwards,  commenced  its  session.  That  body,  penetrated 
with  the  same  sentiments  which  animated  the  whole  coun- 
try, immediately  enacted  a  law,  authorizing  the  executive 
to  call  into  the  field  thirty-five  hundred  of  the  militia,  to  be 
inarched  against  the  Indians;  and,  to  guard  against  all  dif- 
ficulties, in  the  event  the  general  government  should  omit 
to  adopt  them  into  their  service,  three  hundred  thousand 
dollars  were  voted  for  their  support. 

Additional  reasons  were  at  hand  why  active  operations 
should  be  commenced  with  the  least  possible  delay.  The 
settlers  were  fleeing  to  the  interior,  and  every  day  brought 
intelligence,  that  the  Creeks,  collected  in  considerable 
force,  were  bending  their  course  towards  the  frontiers  of 
Tennessee.  The  governor  now  issued  an  order  to  General 
Jackson,  who,  notwithstanding  the  state  of  his  health,  had 
determined  to  assume  the  command,  requiring  him  to  call 
out,  and  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville,  in  the  shortest  possi- 
ble time,  two  thousand  of  the  militia  and  volunteers  of  his 
division,  to  repel  any  invasion  that  might  be  contemplated 


CHAPTER   II.  23 

Colonel  Coffee,  in  addition  to  five  hundred  cavalry,  alrea- 
dy raised,  and  under  his  command,  was  authorized  and 
instructed  to  organize  and  receive  into  his  regiment,  any 
mounted  riflemen  that  might  make  a  tender  of  their  ser- 
vices. 

Having  received  these  orders,  Jackson  hastened  to  give 
them  effect;  and  with  this  object,  and  a  view  to  greater 
expedition,  appealed  to  those  volunteers,  who,  with  him, 
had  heretofore  descended  the  Mississippi  to  Natchez.  He 
urged  them  to  appear  at  the  place  designated  for  the  ren- 
dezvous, on  the  4th  of  October,  equipped  and  armed  for 
active  service.  He  pointed  out  the  imperious  necessity 
which  demanded  their  services,  and  urged  them  to  be 
punctual;  for  that  their  frontiers  were  threatened  with  in- 
vasion by  a  savage  foe.  '*  Already  are  large  bodies  of  the 
hostile  Creeks  marching  to  your  borders,  with  their  scalp- 
ing knives  unsheathed,  to  butcher  your  women  and  chil- 
dren: time  is  not  to  be  lost  We  must  hasten  to  the  fron- 
tier, or  we  shall  find  it  drenched  in  the  blood  of  our  citi- 
zens. The  health  of  your  general  is  restored — he  will 
command  in  person."  In  the  mean  time,  until  this  force 
could  be  collected  and  organized,  colonel  Coffee,  with  the 
force  then  under  his  command,  and  such  additional 
mounted  riflemen  as  could  be  attached  at  a  short  notice, 
was  directed  to  hasten  forward  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Huntsville,  and  occupy  some  eligible  position  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  frontier,  until  the  infantry  should  arrive; 
when  it  was  contemplated,  by  the  nearest  possible  route 
to  press  on  to  Fort  St.  Stephen,  with  a  view  to  the  pro- 
tection and  defence  of  Mississippi. 

Every  exertion  was  made  to  hasten  the  preparations  for 
a  vigorous  campaign.  Orders  were  given  to  the  quarter- 
master, to  furnish  the  necessary  munitions,  with  the  pro- 
per transportation;  and  to  the  contractors,  to  provide  am- 
ple supplies  of  provisions.  The  day  of  rendezvous  being 
arrived,  and  the  General  not  sufficiently  recovered  to  at- 
tend in  person,  he  forwarded  by  his  aid-de-camp,  Major 
Reid,  an  address,  to  be  read  to  the  troops,  accompanied 
by  an  order  for  the  establishment  of  the  police  of  the  camp. 
In  this  address,  he  pointed  to  the  unprovoked  injuries  that 
had  been  so  long  inflicted  by  this  horde  of  merciless  and 
cruel  savages ;  and  entreated  his  soldiers  to  evince  that  zeal 
in  the  defence  of  their  country,  which  the  importance  of 
the  moment  so  much  required.     "We  are  about  to  fur- 


24  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

nish  these  savages  a  lesson  of  admonition ; — we  are  about 
to  teach  them,  that  our  long  forbearance  has  not  proceed- 
ed from  an  insensibility  to  wrongs,  or  an  inability  to  re- 
dress them.  They  stand  in  need  of  such  warning.  In 
proportion  as  we  have  borne  with  their  insults,  and  sub- 
mitted to  their  outrages,  they  have  multiplied  in  number, 
and  increased  in  atrocity.  But  the  measure  of  their  of- 
fences is  at  length  filled.  The  blood  of  our  women  and 
children,  recently  spilled  at  Fort  Mimms,  calls  for  our 
vengeance;  it  must  not  call  in  vain.  Our  borders  must 
no  longer  be  disturbed  by  the  war  whoop  of  these  savages, 
or  the  cries  of  their  suffering  victims.  The  torch  that 
has  been  lighted  up  must  be  made  to  blaze  in  the  heart 
of  their  own  country.  It  is  time  they  should  be  made  to 
feel  the  weight  of  a  power  which,  because  it  was  merciful, 
they  believed  to  be  impotent.  But  how  shall  a  war,  so 
long  forborne,  and  so  loudly  called  for  by  retributive  jus- 
tice, be  waged?  Shall  we  imitate  the  example  of  our  ene- 
mies, in  the  disorder  of  their  movements  and  the  savage- 
ness  of  their  dispositions?  Is  it  worthy  the  character  of 
American  soldiers,  who  take  up  arms  to  redress  the 
wrongs  of  an  injured  country,  to  assume  no  better  mo- 
del than  that  furnished  them  by  barbarians?  No,  fel- 
low soldiers;  great  as  are  the  grievances  that  have  called 
us  from  our  homes,  we  must  not  permit  disorderly  pas- 
sions to  tarnish  the  reputation  we  shall  carry  along  with 
us; — we  must  and  will  be  victorious;  but  we  must  conquer 
as  men  who  owe  nothing  to  chance,  and  who,  in  the  midst 
of  victory,  can  still  be  mindful  of  what  is  due  to  huma- 
nity! 

*'  We  will  commence  the  campaign  by  an  inviolable  at- 
tention to  discipline  and  subordination.  Without  a  strict 
observance  of  these,  victory  must  ever  be  uncertain,  and 
ought  hardly  to  be  exulted  in  even  when  gained.  To  what 
but  the  entire  disregard  of  order  and  subordination,  are 
we  to  ascribe  the  disasters  which  have  attended  our  arms 
in  the  north,  during  the  present  war?  How  glorious  will 
it  be  to  remove  the  blots  which  have  tarnished  the  fair 
character  bequeathed  us  by  the  fathers  of  our  revolution ! 
The  bosom  of  your  general  is  full  of  hope.  He  knows  the 
ardour  which  animates  you,  and  already  exults  in  the  tri- 
umph which  your  strict  observance  of  discipline  and  good 
order  will  render  certain.'* 


CHAPTER   II.  '25 

For  the  police  of  his  camp,  he  announced  the  following 
order. 

"The  chain  of  sentinels  will  be  marked,  and  the  sen- 
tries posted,  precisely  at  ten  o'clock  to-day. 

''No  sutler  will  be  suffered  to  sell  spiritous  liquors  to 
any  soldier,  without  permission,  in  writing,  from  a  com- 
missioned officer,  under  the  penalties  prescribed  by  the 
cules  and  articles  of  war. 

'*  No  citizen  will  be  permitted  to  pass  the  chain  of  sen- 
tinels, after  retreat  beat  in  the  evening,  until  reveille  in  the 
morning.  Drunkenness,  the  bane  of  all  orderly  encamp- 
ments, is  positively  forbidden,  both  in  officers  and  pri-' 
vates:  officers,  under  the  penalty  of  immediate  arrest;  and 
jprivates,  of  being  placed  under  guard,  there  to  remain 
until  liberated  by  a  court  martial. 

"  At  reveille  beat,  all  officers  and  soldiers  are  to  appear 
on  parade,  with  their  arms  and  accoutrements  in  proper 
order. 

"On  parade^  silence,  the  duty  of  a  soldier,  is  positively 
commanded. 

•'No  officer  or  soldier  is  to  sleep  out  of  camp,  but  by 
permission  obtained." 

,  These  rules,  to  those  who  had  scarcely  yet  passed  the 
line  that  separates  the  citizen  from  the  soldier,  and  who 
had  not  yet  laid  aside  the  notions  of  self  sovereignty,  had 
the  appearance  of  too  much  rigour;  but  the  general  well 
knew,  that  the  expedition  in  which  they  were  embarked 
involved  much  hazard;  and  that,  although  lively  feelings 
were  manifested  now,  yet  when  hardships  pressed,  these 
might  cease.  He  considered  it  much  safer  to  lay  before 
them  at  once,  the  rules  of  conduct  to  which  they  must 
conform;  believing  that  it  would  be  more  difficult  to 
drive  licentiousness  from  his.  camp,  than  to  prevent  its  en- 
trance. 

Impatient  to  join  his  division,  although  his  health  was 
far  from  being  restored,  the  general,  in  a  few  days  after- 
wards, set  out  for  the  encampment,  and  reached  it  on  the 
7th.  Finding,  on  his  arrival,  that  the  requisition  was  not 
complete,  either  in  the  number  of  men,  or  the  necessary 
equipments,  measures  were  instantly  taken  to  remedy  the 
deficiency.  Orders  were  directed  to  the  several  brigadiers 
in  his  division,  to  hasten  immediately  their  respective  quo- 
tas, fully  equipped  for  active  operations. 

Circumstances  did  not  permit  him  to  remain  at  this 
c 


26  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

place  long  enough  to  have  the  delinquencies  complained 
of  remedied,  and  the  ranks  of  his  army  filled.  Colonel 
Coffee  had  proceeded  with  his  mounted  volunteers  to  co- 
ver Huntsville,  and  give  security  to  the  frontiers,  where 
alarm  greatly  prevailed.  On  the  night  of  the  8th,  a  letter 
was  received  from  him,  dated  two  days  before,  advising, 
that  two  Indians,  belonging  to  the  peace  party,  had  just 
arrived  at  the  Tennessee  river,  with  information  that  the 
war  party  had  despatched  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  of 
their  warriors  to  attack  the  frontiers  of  Georgia;  and, 
with  the  remainder  of  their  forces,  were  marching  against 
Huntsville,  or  Fort  Hampton.  In  consequence  of  this  in- 
telligence, exertions  were  inade  to  hasten  a  movement. 
Late  on  the  following  night,  another  express  arrived,  con- 
firming the  former  statement,  and  representing  the  enemy, 
in  great  force,  to  be  rapidly  approaching  the  Tennessee. 
Orders  were  now  given  for  preparing  the  line  of  march, 
and  by  nine  o'clock  the  next  day  the  whole  division  was  in 
motion.  They  had  not  proceeded  many  miles,  when  they 
were  met  with  intelligence  that  colonel  Gibson,  who  had 
been  sent  out  by  Coffee  to  reconnoitre  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  had  bpen  killed.  A  strong  desire  had  been 
manifested  to  be  led  forward;  that  desire  was  now  strength- 
ened by  the  information  just  received;  and  it  was  with  dif- 
ficulty their  emotions  could  be  restrained.  They  accele- 
rated their  pace,  and  before  eight  o'clock  at  night,  arrived 
at  Huntsville,  a  distance  of  thirty-two  miles.  Learning 
here,  that  the  information  was  erroneous  which  had  occa- 
sioned so  hasty  a  movement,  the  General  encamped  his 
troops;  having  intended  to  march  them  that  night  to  the 
Tennessee  river  had  it  been  confirmed.  The  next  day  the 
line  ot  march  was  resumed.  The  influence  of  the  late  ex- 
citement was  now  visible  in  the  lassitude  which  followed 
its  removal.  Proceeding  slowly,  they  crossed  the  Tennes- 
see, and  united  in  the  evening  with  Colonel  Coffee's  regi- 
ment, which  had  previously  occupied  a  commanding  bluff, 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  river.  From  this  place,  in  a  few 
days  afterwards,  Jackson  detached  Colonel  Coffee,  with 
seven  hundred  men,  to  scour  the  Black  Warrior,  a  stream 
running  from  the  north-east,  and  emptying  into  the  Tom- 
bigbee;  on  which  were  supposed  to  be  several  populous 
villages  of  the  enemy.  He  himself  remained  at  this  en- 
campment a  week,  using  the  utmost  pains  in  training  his 
troops  for  service,  and  labouring  incessantly  to  procure 


CHAPTER  II.  27 

the  necessary  supplies  for  a  campaign,  which  he  had  de- 
termined to  carry  directly  into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's 
country.  Towards  the  latter  object,  his  industry  had  been 
employed,  and  his  attention  invariably  directed,  from  the 
time  the  expedition  was  projected. 

With  pressing  importunity,  he  had  addressed  himself 
to  the  contractors,  and  they  had  given  him  assurances, 
that  on  his  crossing  the  Tennessee,  they  would  be  prepared 
with  twenty  days'  rations  for  his  whole  command;  but 
finding,  on  his  arrival  at  Ditto's,  that  their  preparations 
were  not  in  such  forwardness  as  he  had  been  led  to  expect, 
he  was  compelled  for  a  time,  to  suspend  any  active  and 
general  operations.  Calculating,  however,  with  great  con- 
fidence, on  exertions,  which,  he  had  been  promised,  should 
he  unremitting,  he  hoped,  in  a  few  days,  to  be  placed  in  a 
situation  to  act  efficiently.  Whilst  he  was  thus  encouraged, 
and  only  waiting  a  fulfilment,  that  he  might  advance,  She- 
Ipcta,  the  son  of  Chinnaby,  a  principal  chief  among  the 
friendly  Creeks,  arrived  at  his  camp,  to  solicit  his  speedy 
movement  for  the  relief  of  his  father's  fort,  which  was  then 
threatened  by  a  considerable  body  of  the  war  party,  who 
had  advanced  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Ten  Islands, 
on  the  Coosa.  Influenced  by  his  representations,  and  anx- 
ious to  extend  relief,  Jackson,  on  the  1 8th,  gave  orders  for 
taking  up  the  line  of  march  on  the  following  day,  and  no- 
tified the  contractors  of  this  arrangement,  that  they  might 
be  prepared  to  issue,  immediately,  such  supplies  as  they 
had  on  hand:  but,  to  his  great  astonishment,  he  was  ap- 
prised of  their  entire  inability  to  supply  him  whilst  on  his 
inarch.  Having  drawn  what  they  had  in  their  power  to 
furnish,  amounting  to  only  a  few  days'  rations,  they  were 
deposed  from  office,  and  others  appointed,  on  whose  in- 
dustry and  performance,  he  believed,  he  might  more  se- 
curely rely.  The  scarcity  of  provisions,  however,  at  a  mo- 
ment like  the  present,  when  there  was  every  appearance 
that  the  enemy  might  be  met,  and  a  blow  stricken  to  ad- 
vantage, was  not  sufficient  to  wave  his  determination,  al- 
ready taken.  The  route  he  would  have  to  make,  to  gain 
the  fort,  lay,  for  a  considerable  distance,  up  the  river: 
might  not  the  boats,  long  expected  from  Hiwassee,  and 
which  he  felt  strongly  assured  must  be  near  at  hand,  be 
nvet  with  on  the  way?  He  determined  to  proceed;  and 
having  passed  his  army  and  baggage  wagons  over  several 
mountains  of  stupendous  size,  and  such  as  were  thought 


28  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

almost  impassable  by  foot  passengers,  he  arrived,  on  the 
22d  of  October,  at  Thompson's  creek,  which  empties  into 
the  Tennessee,  twenty-four  miles  above  Ditto's.  At  this 
place  he  proposed  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  depot, 
for  the  reception  of  supplies.  Disappointed  in  the  hopes 
with  which  he  had  adventured  on  his  march,  he  remained 
here  several  days,  in  expectation  of  the  boats  that  were 
coming  to  his  relief.  Thus  harassed  at  the  first  onset,  by 
difficulties  wholly  unexpected,  and  which,  from  the  nume- 
rous and  strong  assurances  received,  he  could  by  no  means 
have  calculated  on;  fearing,  too,  that  the  same  disregard 
of  duty  might  induce  a  continuance,  he  lost  no  time  in 
opening  every  avenue  to  expedient,  that  the  chances  of  fu- 
ture failure  might  be  diminished.  To  facilitate  exertion^ 
and  to  assure  success,  every  thing  within  his  reach  was 
attempted :  persons  of  wealth  and  patriotism,  in  Madison 
county,  were  solicited  to  afford  the  contractors  all  the  aid 
in  their  power;  and  to  induce  them  more  readily  to  extend 
it,  the  deep  interests,  immediately  at  stake,  was  pointed 
to,  and  their  deplorable  and  dangerous  situation,  should 
necessity  compel  him  to  withdraw  his  army,  and  leave 
them  exposed  to  the  mercy  of  the  savages. 

Whilst  these  measures  were  taking,  two  runners,  from 
Turkey  town,  an  Indian  village,  despatched  by  Path-killer, 
a  chief  of  the  Cherokees,  arrived  at  the  camp.  They 
brought  information,  that  the  enemy,  from  nine  of  the 
hostile  towns,  were  assembling  in  great  force  near  the  Ten 
Islands;  and  solicited,  that  immediate  assistance  should 
be  afforded  the  friendly  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  in  their 
neighbourhood,  who  were  .exposed  to  such  imminent  dan- 
ger. His  want  of  provisions  was  not  yet  remedied;  but, 
distributing  the  partial  supply  that  was  on  hand,  he  re- 
solved to  proceed,  in  expectation  that  the  relief  he  had  so 
earnestly  looked  for,  would,  in  a  little  while,  arrive,  and 
be  forwarded.  To  prepare  his  troops  for  an  engagement, 
which  he  foresaw  was  soon  to  take  place,  he  thus  address- 
ed them: 

"You  have,  fellow  soldiers,  at  length  penetrated  the 
country  of  your  enemies.  It  is  not  to  be  believed,  that 
they  will  abandon  the  soil  that  embosoms  the  bones  of 
their  forefathers,  without  furnishing  you  an  opportunity 
of  signalizing  your  valour.  Wise  men  do  not  expect; 
brave  men  will  not  desire  it.  It  was  not  to  travel  unmo- 
lested, through  a  barren  wilderness,  that  you  quitted  your 


CHAPTER  II.  29 

families  and  homes,  and  submitted  to  so  many  priva- 
tions: it  was  to  avenge. the  cruelties  committed  upon 
our  defenceless  frontiers,  by  the  inhuman  Creeks,  insti- 
gated by  their  no  less  inhuman  allies;  you  shall  not  be  dis- 
appointed. If  the  enemy  flee  before  us,  we  will  overtake 
and  chastise  him;  we  wiJl  teach  him  how  dreadful,  when 
once  aroused,  is  the  resentment  of  freemen.  But  it  is  not 
by  boasting  that  punishment  is  to  be  inflicted,  or  victory 
obtained.  The  same  resolution  that  prompted  us  to  take 
up  arms,  must  inspire  us  in  battle.  Men  thus  animated, 
and  thus  resolved,  barbarians  can  never  conquer;  and  it 
is  an  enemy,  barbarous  in  the  extreme,  that  we  have  now 
to  face.  Theil*  reliance  will  be  on  the  damage  they  can 
do  you  whilst  you  are  asleep  and  unprepared  for  action: 
their  hopes  shall  fail  them  in  the  hour  of  experiment.  Sol- 
diers, who  know  their  duty,  and  are  ambij-ious  to  perform 
it,  are  not  to  be  taken  by  surprise.  Our  sentinels  'will  ne- 
ver sleep,  nor  our  soldiers  be  unprepared  for  action:  yet, 
while  it  is  enjoined  upon  the  sentinels  vigilantly  to  watch 
the  approach  of  the  foe,  they  are,  at  the  same  time,  com- 
manded not  to  fire  at  shadows.  Imaginary  danger  must 
not  deprive  them  of  entire  self-possession.  Our  soldiers 
will  lie  with  their  arms  in  their  hands :  and  the  moment  an 
alarm  is  given,  they  will  move  to  their  respective  posi- 
tions, without  noise,  and  without  confusion;  they  will  be 
thus  enabled  to  hear  the  orders  of  their  officers,  and  to 
obey  them  with  promptitude. 

"  Great  reliance  will  be  placed,  by  the  enemy,  on  the  con- 
sternation they  may  be  able  to  spread  through  our  ranks 
by  the  hideous  yells  with  which  they  commence  their  bat- 
tles ;  but  brave  men  will  laugh  al  such  efforts  to  alarm 
them.  It  is  not  by  bellowings  and  screams  that  the  wounds 
of  death  are  inflicted.  You  will  teach  these  noisy  assail- 
ants how  weak  are  their  weapons  of  warfare,  by  opposing 
them  with  the  bayonet;  what  Indian  ever  withstood  its 
charge  ?  what  army,  of  any  nation,  ever  withstood  it  long? 

"  Yes,  soldiers,  the  order  for  a  charge  will  be  the  signal 
for  victory.  In  that  moment,  your  enemy  will  be  seen  flee- 
ing in  every  direction  before  you.  But  in  the  moment  of 
action,  coolness  and  deliberation  must  be  regarded;  your 
fires  made  with  precision  and  aim;  and  when  ordered  to 
charge  with  the  bayonet,  you  must  proceed  to  the  assault 
with  a  quick  and  firm  step;  without  trepidation  or  alarm. 
Then  shall  you  behold  the  completion  of  your  hopes  in 
0  2 


30  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  discomfiture  of  your  enemy.  Your  genera!,  whose 
duty,  as  well  as  inclination,  is  to  watch  over  your  safety, 
will  not,  to  gratify  any  wishes  of  his  own,  rush  you  un- 
necessarily into  danger.  He  knows,  however,  that  it  is  not 
in  assailing  an  enemy  that  men  are  destroyed;  it  is  when 
retreating,  and  in  confusion.  Aware  of  this,  he  will  be 
prompted  as  much  by  a  regard  for  your  lives  as  your  ho* 
nour.  He  laments  that  he  has  been  compelled,  even  inci- 
dentally, to  hint  at  a  retreat  when  speaking  to  freemen, 
and  to  soldiers.  Never,  until  you  forget  all  that  is  due  to 
yourselves  and  your  country,  will  you  have  any  practical 
understanding  of  that  word.  Shall  an  enemy,  wholly  un- 
acquainted  with  military  evolution,  and  who  rely  more  for 
victory  on  their  grim  visages  and  hideous  yells,  than  upon 
their  bravery  or  their  weapons— shall  such  an  enemy  ever 
drive  before  thein  the  well-trained  youths  of  our  country, 
whose  bosoms  pant  for  glory,  and  a  desire  to  avenge  th» 
wrongs  they  have  received?  Your  General  will  not  live  to 
behold  such  a  spectacle;  rather  would  he  rush  into  the 
thickest  of  the  enemy,  and  submit  himself  to  their  scalp- 
ing knives:  but  he  has  no  fears  of  such  a  result.  He  knows 
the  valour  of  the  men  he  commands,  and  how  certainly 
that  valour,  regulated  as  it  will  be,  will  lead  to  victory. 
With  his  soldiers  he  will  face  all  dangers,  and  with  them 
participate  in  the  glory  of  conquest." 

Having  thus  prepared  the  minds  of  his  men,  and  brought 
to  their  view  the  kind  of  foe  with  whom  they  were  shortly 
to  contend;  with  about  six  days'  rations  of  meat,  and  less 
than  two  of  meal,  he  again  put  his  army  in  motion  to  meet 
the  enemy.  Although  there  was  some  hazard  in  advancing 
into  a  country  where  relief  was  not  to  be  expected,  with 
such  limited  preparation,  yet,  believing  that  his  contract- 
ors,- lately  installed,  would  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost 
to  forward  supplies,  and  that  amidst  the  variety  of  ar- 
rangements miade,  all  could  not  fail,  and  well  aware  that 
his  delaying  longer  might  be  productive  of  many  disad- 
vantages, his  determination  was  taken  to  set  out  immedi- 
ately in  quest  of  the  enemy.  He  replied  to  the  Path-killer, 
by  his  runners,  that  he  should  proceed  directly  for  the 
Coosa,  and  solicited  him  to  be  diligent  in  making  disco- 
veries of  the  situation  and  collected  forces  of  the  savages, 
and  to  give  him,  as  early  as  possible,  the  result  of  his  in- 
quiries. 

''The  hostile  Creeks,"  he  remarked  to  him,  **wiU  not 


CHAPTER  II.  31 

attack  you  until  they  have  had  a  brush  with  me;  and  that, 
I  think,  will  put  them  out  of  the  notion  of  fighting  for  some 
time.  *' 

He  requested,  if  he  had,  or  could  any  how  procure, 
provisions  for  his  army,  that  he  would  send  them,  or  ad- 
vise where  they  might  be  had :  "  You  shall  be  well  paid, 
and  have  my  thanks  into  the  bargain.  I  shall  stand  most 
in  need  of  corn  meal,  but  shall  be  thankful  for  any  kind 
of  provisions ;  and  indeed  for  whatever  will  support  life. " 

In  a  letter  to  governor  Blount,  speaking  of  the  difficul- 
ties with  which  he  was  assailed,  he  observes: — '* Indeed, 
air,  we  have  been  very  wretchedly  supplied — scarcely  two 
rations  in  succession  have  been  regularly  drawn;  yet  we 
are  not  despondent.  Whilst  we  can  procure  an  ear  of 
com  apiece,  or  any  thing  that  will  answer  as  a  substitute 
for  it,  we  shall  continue  our  exertions  to  accomplish  the 
object  for  which  we  were  sent.  The  cheerfulness  with 
which  my  men  submit  to  privations,  and  are  ready  to  en- 
counter danger,  does  honour  to  them,  and  to  the  govern- 
ment whose  rights  they  are^defending. 

"  Every  mean  within  my  power,  for  procuring  the  re- 
quisite supplies  for  my  army,  I  have  taken,  and  am  con- 
tinuing to  take.  East,  west,  north,  an^  south,  have  been 
applied  to  with  the  most  pressing  solicitation.  The  go- 
vernor of  Georgia,  in  a  letter  received  from  him  this 
evening,  informs  me  that  a  sufficiency  can  be  had  in  his 
state;  but  does  not  signify  that  he  is  about  to  take  any 
measures  to  procure  it.  My  former  contractor  has  been 
superseded :  no  exertions  were  spared  by  him  to  fulfil  his 
engagements;  yet  the  inconveniences  under  which  he  la- 
boured were  such  as  to  render  his  best  exertions  unavail- 
ing. The  contract  has  been  offered  to  one  who  will  be 
able  to  execute  it:  if  he  accepts  it,  my  apprehensions 
will  be  greatly  diminished.'* 

v-The  sanguine  expectations  indulged,  on  leaving  Thomp- 
son's creek,  that  the  advance  of  the  East  Tennessee  militia 
would  hasten  to  unite  with  him,  was  not  yet  realized. 
The  express  heretofore  directed  to  general  White,  had 
not  returned.  Jackson,  on  the  31st,  despatched  another, 
again  urging  him  to  effect  a  speedy  junction,  and  to  bring 
with  him  all  the  bread  stuff  it  should  be  in  his  power  to 
procure;  feelingly  suggesting  to  him,  at  the  same  time, 
the  great  inconvenience  and  hazard  to  which  he  had  been 
already  exposed,  for  the  want  of  punctuality  in  himself  and 


52  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON*. 

his  commanding  general.  Owing  to  that  cause,  and  the 
late  failures  of  his  contractors,  he  represented  his  army  as 
placed,  at  present,  in  a  very  precarious  situation,  and  de- 
pendent, in  a  great  measure,  for  support,  on  the  exertions 
which  they  might  be  pleased  to  make;  but  assured  him, 
at  the  same  time,  that,  let  circumstances  transpire  as  they 
might,  he  would  still,  at  every  risk,  endeavour  to  effect 
his  purpose;  and,  at  all  events,  was  resolved  to  hasten, 
with  every  practicable  despatch,  to  the  accomplishment  of 
the  object  for  which  he  had  set  out.  Believing  the  co- 
operation of  the  East  Tennessee  troops  essential  to  this 
end,  they  were  again  instructed  to  join  him  without  delay ; 
for  he  could  not  conceive  it  to  be  correct  policy,  that 
troops  from  the  same  state,  pursuing  the  same  object, 
should  constitute  separate  and  distinct  armies,  and  act 
without  concert,  and  independently  of  each  other. 

The  next  evening,  a  detachment  which  had  been  sent 
out  the  day  before,  returned  to  camp,  bringing  with  them, 
besides  some  corn  and  beeves,  several  prisoners  of  th 
war  party.  • 

Learning  now  that  a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy 
had  posted  themselves  at  Tallushatchee,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  Coosa,  about  thirteen  miles  distant,  General  Coffee 
was  detached  with  nine  hundred  men,  (the  mounted  troops 
having  been  previously  organized  into  a  brigade,  and 
placed  under  his  command,)  to  attack  and  disperse  them. 
With  this  force  he  was  enabled,  through  the  direction  of 
an  Indian  pilot,  to  ford  the  Coosa  about  four  miles  above  the 
Islands;  and  having  encamped  beyond  it,  very  early  the 
next  morning  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  his  order. 
Having  arrived  within  a  mile  and  a  half,  he  formed  hh 
attachment  into  two  divisions,  and  directed  them  to  march 
so  as  to  encircle  the  town,  by  uniting  their  fronts  beyond 
it.  The  enemy,  hearing  of  his  approach,  began  to  pre- 
pare for  action,  which  was  announced  by  the  beating  of 
drums,  mingled  with  their  savage  yells  and  war  whoops. 
An  hour  after  sun-rise,  the  action  was  commenced  by  cap- 
tain Hamilton's  and  lieutenant  Patterson's  companies  of 
spies,  who  had  gone  within  the  circle  of  alignement,  for 
the  purpose  of  drawing  the  Indians  from  their  buildings. 
No  sooner  had  these  companies  exhibited  their  front  in 
view  of  the  town,  than  the  enemy  formed,  and  made  a  vio- 
lent charge-  Being  compelled  to  give  way,  the  advance 
guards  were  pursued  until  they  reached  the  main  body  of 


CHAPTER  II.  33 

the  army,  which  immediately  opened  a  general  fire,  and 
charged  in  turn.  The  Indians  retreated,  firing,  until  they 
got  around  and  in  their  buildings,  where  an  obstinate  con- 
flict ensued,  and  where  those  who  maintained  their  ground, 
persisted  in  fighting,  as  long  as  they  could  stand  or  sifc, 
w^ithout  manifesting  fear,  or  soliciting  quarter.  Their 
loss  was  an  hundred  and  eighty-six  killed;  among  whom 
were,  unfortunately,  and  through  accident,  a  few  women 
and  children.  Eighty-four  women  and  children  were 
taken  prisoners,  towards  whom  the  utmost  humanity  was 
shown.  Of  the  Americans,  five  were  killed,  and  forty- 
one  wounded.  Two  were  killed  with  arrows,  which,  on 
this  occasion,  formed  a  principal  part  of  the  arms. of  the 
Indians;  each  one  having  a  bow  and  quiver,  which  he 
used  after  the  first  fire  of  his  gun,  until  an  opportunity  oc- 
curred for  re-loading. 

Having  buried  his  dead,  and  provided  for  his  wounded, 
General  Coffee,  late  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  united 
with  the  main  army,  bringing  with  him  about  forty  pri- 
soners. Of  the  residue,  a  part  were  too  badly  wounded 
to  be  removed,  and  were  therefore  left,  with  a  sulRcient 
number  to  take  care  of  them.  Those  which  he  brought 
in,  received  every  comfort  and  assistance  their  situation 
demanded,  and,  for  safety,  were  immediately  sent  into  the 
settlements. 

From  the  manner  in  which  the  enemy  fought,  the  killing 
and  wounding  others  than  their  warriors  was  not  to  be 
avoided.  On  their  retreat  to  their  village,  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  battle,  they  resorted  to  their  block 
houses,  and  strong  log  dwellings,  whence  they  kept  up 
resistance,  and  resolutely  maintained  the  fight.  Thus 
mingled  with  their  women  and  children,  it  was  impossible 
they  should  not  be  exposed  to  the  general  danger;  and 
thus  many  were  injured,  notwithstanding  every  possible 
precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  it.  In  fact  many  of  the 
women  united  with  their  warriors,  and  contended  in  the 
battle  with  fearless  bravery. 


34  LIFE  OF  GENEIL\L  JACKSON. 


CHAPTER  III 


General  Jackson  endeavoui-s  to  unite  with  the  East  Tennessee  troops. 
— Establislunent  of  Fort  Strother. — Learns  the  enemy  are  embodied. 
— Marches  to  meet  them. — Battle  of  Talladega. — Is  compelled  to 
return  to  his  encampment  for  want  of  supphes. — Anecdote. — Dis- 
contents of  his  army. — Militia  and  volunteers  mutiny. — Address  to 
the  officers. — Is  compelled  to  abandon  Fort  Strother. — Letter  from 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Blackburn. — Answer. — The  volunteers  claim  to  be 
discharged. — Mutiny. — Address  to  them. — General  Coffee's  brigade 
petitions  for  a  discharge. — (Jeneral  Jackson's  answer. — They  aban- 
don the  service. 

Measures  were  taken  to  establish  a  permanent  depot  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  river,  at  the  Ten  Islands,  to  be  pro- 
tected by  strong  picketing  and  block  houses;  after  which, 
it  was  the  intention  of  Jackson  to  proceed  along  the  Coosa 
to  its  junction  with  the  Tallapoosa,  near  which  it  w  as  ex- 
pected the  main  force  of  the  enemy  was  collected.  Know- 
ing that  it  would  detach  much  of  the  strength  of  his  army, 
to  occupy,  in  advance,  the  different  points  necessary  to  the 
safety  of  his  rear,  it  was  desirable  to  unite,  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, with  the  troops  from  East  Tennessee:  to  effect  this, 
he  again,  on  the  4th,  despatched  an  express  to  General 
White,  who  had  previously,  with  his  command,  arrived 
at  Turkey  towm,  a  Cherokee  village,  about  twenty-five  miles 
above,  on  the  same  river,  urging  him  to  unite  with  him  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  again  entreating  him  on  the  subject 
of  provisions; — to  bring  with  him  such  as  he  had  on  hand, 
or  could  procure;  and,  if  possible,  to  form  some  certain 
arrangement  that  might  ensure  a  supply  in  future. 

As  yet  no  certain  intelligence  was  received  of  any  col- 
lection of  the  enemy.  The  army  was  busily  engaged  in 
fortifying  and  strengthening  the  site  fixed  on  for  a  depot, 
to  which  the  name  of  Fort  Strother  had  been  given.  Late, 
on  the  evening  of  the  7th,  a  runner  arrived  from  Talladega, 
a  fort  of  the  friendly  Indians,  distant  about  thirty  miles 
below,  with  information,  that  the  enemy  had  that  morning 
encamped  before  it  in  great  numbers,  and  would  certainly 
destroy  it,  unless  immediate  assistance  could  be  afforded. 
Jackson,  confiding  in  the  statement,  determined  to  lose  no 
time  in  extending  the  relief  which  was  solicited.  Under- 
standing that  General  White,  agreeably  to  his  order,  was 
on  his  way  to  join  him,  he  despatched  a  messenger  to  meet 


CHAPTER  III.  ^5 

him,  directing  him  to  reach  his  encampment  in  the  course 
of  the  ensuing  night,  and  to  protect  it  in  his  absence.  He 
now  gave  orders  for  taking  up  the  line  of  march,  with 
twelve  hundred  infantry,  and  eight  hundred  cavalry  and 
mounted  gun  men ;  leaving  behind,  the  sick,  the  wounded, 
and  all  his  baggage,  with  a  force  which  was  deemed  suf- 
ficient for  their  protection,  until  the  reinforcement  of 
^General  White  should  arrive. 

The  friendly  Indians,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  this  be- 
sieged fort,  had  involved  themselves  in  their  present  peri- 
lous situation,  from  a  disposition  to  preserve  their  amica- 
ble relations  with  the  United  States.  To  suffer  them  to 
fall  a  sacrifice,  from  any  tardiness  of  moveiment,  would 
have  been  unpardonable;  and  unless  relief  were  immedi- 
ately extended,  it  might  arrive  too  late.  Acting  under 
these  impressions,  the  General  concluded  to  move  instantly 
forward  to  their  assistance.  By  twelve  o'clock  at  night, 
every  thing  was  in  readiness;  and,  in  an  hour  afterwards, 
the  army  commenced  crossing  the  river,  about  a  mile  above 
the  camp — each  of  the  mounted  men  carrying  one  of  the 
infantry  behind  him.  The  river,  at  this  place,  was  six 
hundred  yards  wide,  and  it  being  necessary  to  send  back 
the  horses  for  the  remainder  of  the  infantry,  several  hours 
were  consumed  before  a  passage  of  all  the  troops  could  be 
effected.  •  Nevertheless,  though  greatly  fatigued  and  de- 
prived of  sleep,  they  continued  the  march  with  animation, 
and  by  evening  had  arrived  within  six  miles  of  the  ene- 
my. In  this  march,  Jackson  used  the  utmost  precaution 
to  prevent  surprise;  miarching  his  army,  as  w^as  his  con- 
stant custom,  in  three  columns,  so  that,  by  a  speedy  ma- 
noeuvre, they  might  be  thrown  into  such  a  situation  as  to 
be  capable  of  resisting  an  attack  from  any  quarter.  Hav- 
ing judiciously  encamped  his  men  on  an  eligible  piece  of 
ground,  he  sent  forward  two  of  the  friendly  Indians,  and 
a  white  man,  who  had,  for  many  years,  been  detained  a 
captive  in  the  nation,  and  was  now  acting  as  interpreter, 
to  reconnoitre  the  position  of  the  enemy.  About  eleven 
o'clock  at  night  they  returned  with  information  that  the 
savages  were  posted  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort, 
and  appeared  to  be  in  great  force;  but  that  they  had  not 
been  able  to  approach  near  enough  to  ascertain  either  their 
numbers  or  precise  situation.  Within  an  hour  after  this, 
a  runner  arrived  with  a  letter  from  General  White,  stating, 
that  after  having  taken  up  the  line  of  march,  to  unite  at 


56  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

Fort  Strother,  he  had  received  orders  from  General  Cocke 
to  change  his  course  and  proceed  to  the  mouth  of  Chatau- 
ga  creek.  It  was  most  distressing  intelligence  :  the  sick 
and  wounded  had  been  left  with  no  other  calculation  for 
their  safety  and  defence  than  that  this  detachment  of  the 
army,  agreeably  to  his  request,  would,  by  advancing  upon 
Fort  Strother,  serve  the  double  purpose  of  protecting  his 
rear  and  enable  him  to  advance  still  further  into  the  ene- 
my's country.  The  information  which  was  now  received, 
proved  that  all  those  salutary  anticipations  were  at  an  end, 
and  that  evils  of  the  worst  kind  might  be  the  consequence. 

Intelligence  so  disagreeable,  and  withal  so  unexpected, 
filled  the  mind  of  Jackson  with  apprehension  of  a  serious 
and  alarming  character;  and  dreading  lest  the  enemy,  by 
taking  a  different  route,  should  attack  his  encampment  in 
his  absence,  he  determined  to  lose  no  time  in  bringing  him 
to  battle.  Orders  were  accordingly  given  to  the  adjutant- 
general  to  prepare  the  line,  and  by  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  the  army  was  again  in  motion.  The  infantry 
proceeded  in  three  columns;  the  cavalry  in  the  same  or- 
der, in  the  rear,  with  flankers  on  each  wing.  The  advance, 
consisting  of  a  company  of  artillerists,  with  muskets,  two 
companies  of  riflemen,  and  one  of  spies,  marched  about 
four  hundred  yards  in  front,  under  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Carroll,  with  orders,  after  commencing  the  action,  to 
fall  back  on  the  centre,  so  as  to  draw  the  enemy  after  them. 
At  seven  o'clock,  having  arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  po- 
sition they  occupied,  the  columns  were  displayed  in  order 
of  battle.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  cavalry,  under 
lieutenant-colonel  Dyer,  were  placed  in  the  rear  of  the  cen- 
tre, as  a  corps  de  reserve.  The  remainder  of  the  mounted 
troops  were  directed  to  advance  on  the  right  and  left,  and, 
after  encircling  the  enemy,  by  uniting  the  fronts  of  their 
columns,  and  keeping  their  rear  rested  on  the  infantry,  to 
face  and  press  towards  the  centre,  so  as  to  leave  them  no 
possibility  of  escape.  The  remaining  part  of  the  army 
was  ordered  to  move  up  by  heads  of  companies;  General 
Hall's  brigade  occupying  the  right,  and  General  Roberts's 
the  left. 

About  eight  o'clock,  the  advance  having  arrived  within 
eighty  yards  of  the  enemy,  who  were  concealed  in  a  thick 
shrubbery,  that  covered  the  margin  of  a  small  rivulet,  re- 
ceived a  heavy  fire,  which  they  instantly  returned  with 
much  spirit.  Agreeably  to  their  instructions,  they  retired 


CHAPTER  III.  ^7 

towards  the  centre,  but  not  before  they  had  dislodged 
them  from  their  position.  The  Indians,  now  screaming- 
and  yelling  hideously,  rushed  forward  in  the  direction  of 
General  Roberts's  brigade,  a  few  companies  of  which, 
alarmed  by  their  numbers  and  yells,  gave  way  at  the  first 
fire.  Jackson,  to  fill  the  chasm  which  was  thus  created, 
directed  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Bradley,  to 
be  moved  up,  which,  from  some  unaccountable  cause,  had 
failed  to  advance  in  a  line  with  the  others,  and  now  occu- 
pied a  position  in  rear  of  the  centre.  Owing  to  this  fail- 
ure in  the  volunteer  regiment,  it  became  necessary  to  dis- 
mount the  reserve,  which,  with  great  firmness,  met  the 
approach  of  the  enemy,  who  were  rapidly  moving  in  this 
direction.  The  retreating  militia,  somewhat  mortified  at 
seeing  their  places  so  promptly  supplied,  rallied,  and  re- 
covering their  former  position  in  the  line,  aided  in  check- 
ing the  advance  of  the  savages.  The  action  now  became 
g:encral  along  the  line,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  the  Indians 
were  seen  fleeing  in  every  direction.  On  the  left,  they  were 
met  and  repulsed  by  the  mounted  riflemen;  but  on  the 
right,  owing  to  the  halt  of  Bradley's  regiment,  which  was 
iiitended  to  occupy  the  extreme  right, — and  to  the  cir- 
cumstance of  Colonel  Allcorn,  who  commanded  one  of 
the  wings  of  the  cavalry,  having  taken  too  large  a  circuit, 
a  considerable  space  was  left  between  the  infantry  and  the 
cavalry,  through  which- numbei-s  escaped.  The  fight  was 
maintained  with  great  spirit  and  effect  on  both  sides,  as 
well  before  as  after  the  retreat  commenced ;  nor  did  the 
pursuit  and  slaughter  terminate  until  the  mountains  were 
I'eached,  at  the  distance  of  three  miles. 

Jackson,  in  his  report  of  this  action,  bestows  high  com- 
mendation on  the  officers  and  soldiers.  '-Too  much 
praise,"  he  observes,  in  the  close  of  it,  "  cannot  be  be- 
stowed on  the  advance,  led  by  Colonel  Carroll,  for  the  spi- 
rited manner  in  which  they  commenced  and  sustained  the 
attack;  nor  upon  the  reserve,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Dyer,  for  the  gallantry  with  which  they  met  and 
repulsed  the  enemy.  In  a  word,  officers  of  every  grade, 
as  well  as  privates,  realized  the  high  expectations  I  had 
formed  of  them,  and  merit  the  gratitude  of  their  country." 

In  this  battle,  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  one  thousand 
and  eighty,  of  whom  two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  were 
left  d'ead  on  the  ground;  and  it  is  believed  that  many  were 
killed  in  the  flight,  who  were  not  found  -svhen  the  estimate 

D 


38  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

was  made.  Probably  few  escaped  unhurt.  Their  loss  on 
this  occasion,  as  stated  since  by  themselves,  was  not  less 
than  six  hundred :  that  of  the  Americans  was  fifteen  killed, 
and  eighty  wounded,  several  of  whom  afterwards  died. 
Jackson,  after  collecting  his  dead  and  wounded,  advanced 
his  army  beyond  the  fort,  and  encamped  for  the  night. 
The  Indians,  who  had  been  for  several  days  shut  up  by  the 
besiegers,  thus  fortunately  liberated  from  the  most  dread- 
ful apprehensions,  and  severest  privations,  having  for  some 
time  been  entirely  without  water,  received  the  army  with 
all  the  demonstrations  of  gratitude  that  savages  could  give. 
Their  manifestations  of  joy  for  their  deliverance,  presented 
an  interesting  and  affecting  spectacle.  Their  fears  had 
been  already  greatly  excited,  for  it  was  the  very  day  when 
they  were  to  have  been  assaulted,  and  when  every  soul 
within  the  fort  must  have  perished.  All  the  provisions 
they  could  spare,  from  their  scanty  stock,  they  sold  to 
the  General,  who,  purchasing  with  his  own  money,  distri- 
buted them  amongst  the  soldiers,  who  were  almost  des- 
titute. 

It  was  with  great  regret  that  Jackson  now  found  he  was 
without  the  means  of  availing  himself  fully  of  the  advan- 
tanges  of  his  victory;  but  the  condition  of  his  posts  in  the 
rear,  and  the  want 'of  provisions,  (having  left  his  encamp- 
mient  at  Fort  Strother  with  little  more  than  one  day's  ra- 
tions,) compelled  him  to  return;  thus  giving  the  enemy 
time  to  recover  from  the  consternation  of  their  first  defeat, 
and  to  re-assemble  their  forces. 

The  cause  which  prevented  general  White  from  reach- 
ing the  Ten  Islands  at  a  moment  when-  it  was  so  impor- 
tant, and  so  confidently  expected,  was  as  yet  unknown; 
the  only  certainty  upon  the  subject  was,  that  for  the  pre- 
sent it  wholly  thwarted  his  views,  and  laid  him  under  the 
necessity  of  returning.  This  mystery,  hitherto  inexplica- 
ble, was  some  time  after  explained,  by  a  view  of  the  order 
of  General  Cocke,  under  which  White,  being  a  brigadier  in 
his  division,  chose  to  act,  rather  than  under  Jackson's. 
General  Cocke  stated  to  him,  he  had  understood  Jackson 
had  crossed  the  Coosa,  and  had  an  engagement  with  the 
Indians.  "  I  have  formed  a  council  of  officers  here,  and 
proposed  these  questions: — shall  we  follow  him,  or  cross 
the  river  and  proceed  to  the  Creek  settlements  on  the  Tal- 
lapoosa?— Both  were  decided  unanimously,  that  he  should 
not  be  followed,  but  that  we  should  proceed  in  the  way 


CHAPTER  III.  39 

proposed. "  He  remarked,  that  the  decision  had  met  his 
entire  approbation;  and  directed  White  forthwith  to  unite 
with  him  at  his  encampment.  "If,"  said  he,  "we  follow 
general  Jackson  and  his  army,  we  must  suffer  for  sup- 
plies; nor  can  we  expect  to  gain  a  victory.  Let  us  then 
take  a  direction  in  which  we  can  share  some  of  the  dangers 
and  glories  of  the  field.  You  will  employ  pilots,  and  ad- 
vise me  which  side  of  the  river  you  will  move."  In  this, 
as  every  other  measure,  it  seemed  to  be  the  studied  aim 
of  Cocke,  to  thwart  the  views  and  arrest  the  successes  of 
Jackson.  Both  were  major-generals,  sent  on  the  same 
important  errand,  to  check  an  insolent  foe,  who  had 
practised  the  most  cruel  and  unprovoked  outrages. 
.Which  of  them  should  share  the  "dangers  and  glories  of 
the  field,"  or  obtain  its  laurels,  was  not  so  important  to 
the  country,  as  by  acting  in  concert  and  harmony  they 
should  endeavour  to  accomplish  the  grand  object  of  ter- 
minating the  war,  and  restoring  tranquillity  to  the  fron- 
tiers. National,  not  individual  advancement,  was  the 
object  in  carrying  an  army  into  the  field :  and  the  best  and 
most  effectual  mean  of  securing  this,  every  officer,  acting 
on  liberal  principles,  should  have  constantly  held  in  view: 
the  interest  and  repose  of  the  country,  not  individual  ad- 
vancement, was  the  end  to  be  attained. 

Having  buried  his  dead  with  due  honour,  and  provided 
litters  for  the  wounded,  he  reluctantly  commenced  his  re- 
turn march  on  the  morning  succeeding  the  battle.  He 
confidently  hoped,  from  the  previous  assurances  of  the  con- 
tractors, that  by  the  time  of  his  return  to  Fort  Strother, 
sufficient  supplies  would  have  arrived  there;  but,  to  his 
inexpressible  uneasiness,  he  found  that  not  a  particle  had 
been  forwarded  since  his  departure,  and  that  what  had 
been  left  was  already  consumed.  Even  his  private  stores, 
brought  on  at  his  own  expense,  and  upon  which  he  and  his 
staff  had  hitherto  wholly  subsisted,  had  been,  in  his  ab- 
sence, distributed  amongst  the  sick  by  the  hospital  sur- 
geon, who  had  been  previously  instructed  to  do  so,  in  the 
event  their  wants  should  require  it.  A  few  dozen  biscuit, 
which  remained  on  his  return,  were  given  to  hungry  ap- 
plicants, without  being  tasted  by  himself  or  family,  who 
were  probably  not  less  hungry  than  those  who  were  thus 
relieved.  A  scanty  supply  of  indifferent  beef  taken  from 
the  enemy,  or  purchased  of  the  Cherokees,  was  now  the 
only  support  afforded.     Thus  left  destitute,  Jackson,  with 


40  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  utmost  cheerfulness  of  temper,  repaired  to  the  bullock 
pen,  and  of  the  oftal  there  thrown  away,  provided  for  him- 
self and  staff,  what  he  was  pleased  to  call,  and  seemed  re- 
ally to  think,  a  very  comfortable  repast-  Neither  this, 
nor  the  liberal  donations  by  which  he  disfurnished  him- 
self, to  relieve  the  suffering  soldier,  deserves  to  be  ascribed 
to  ostentation  or  design :  the  one  flowed  from  benevolence, 
the  other  from  necessity,  and  a  desire  to  place  before  his 
men  an  example  of  patience  and  suffering,  which  he  felt 
might  be  necessary,  and  hoped  might  be  serviceable.  Of 
these  two  imputations,  no  human  being,  invested  with 
rank  and  power,  was  ever  more  deservedly  free.  Charity 
in  him  is  a  warm  and  active  propensity  of  the  heart, 
urging  by  an  instantaneous  impulse,  to  relieve  the  wants, 
of  the  distressed,  v/ithout  regarding,  or  even  thinking  of 
the  consequences.  Many  of  those  to  whom  it  was  extend- 
ed, had  no  conception  of  the  source  that  supplied  them, 
and  believed  the  comforts  they  received  were,  indeed, 
drawn  from  stores  provided  for  the  hospital  department. 

On  this  campaign,  a  soldier,  one  morning,  with  wo-be- 
gone  countenance,  approached  the  General,  stating  that  he 
was  nearly  starved,  that  he  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  could  not 
imagine  what  he  should  do.  He  was  the  ixkore  encouraged  to 
complain, from  perceiving  that  the  General,  who  had  seated 
himself  at  the  root  of  a  tree,  waiting  the  coming  up  of  the 
rear  of  the  army,  was  busily  engaged  in  eating  something, 
he  knew  not  what.  The  poor  fellow  was  impressed  with 
the  belief,  from  what  he  saw,  that  want  only  attached  to 
the  soldiers,  and  that  the  officers,  particularly  the  Gene- 
ral, were  liberally  and  well  supplied.  He  accordingly  ap- 
proached him  with  great  confidence  of  being  relieved; 
Jackson  told  him,  that  it  had  always  been  a  rule  with  him 
never  to  turn  away  a  hungry  man,  when  it  was  in  his  power 
to  relieve  him.  I  will  m.ost  cheerfully,  said  he,  divide 
with  you  what  I  have,  and  putting  his  hand  to  his  pocket, 
drew  forth  a  few  acorns,  on  which  he  had  been  feasting, 
adding,  it  was  the  best  and  only  fare  he  had.  The  soldier 
seemed  much  surprised,  and  forthwith  circulated  amongst 
his  comrades,  that  their  General  was  actually  subsisting 
upon  acorns,  and  that  they  ought,  hence,  no  more  to  com- 
plain. From  this  circumstance  was  derived  the  story 
heretofore  published,  that  Jackson,  about  the  period  of  his 
greatest  suffering,  and  with  a  view  to  inspirit  them,  had 


CHAPTER    III.  41 

invited  his  officers  to  dine  with  him,  and  presented  for 
their  repast,  water  and  a  tray  of  acorns. 

But  while  General  Jackson  remained  wholly  unmoved  by 
his  own  privations,  he  was  filled  with  solicitude  and  con- 
cern for  his  army.  His  utmost  exertions,  unceasingly  ap- 
plied, were  insufficient  to  remove  the  sufferings  to  which 
he  saw  them  exposed,  and  although  they  were  by  no 
means  so  great  as  was  represented,  yet  were  they  undoubt- 
edly such  as  to  be  sensibly  and  severely  felt.  Discontents, 
and  a  desire  to  return  home,  arose,  and  presently  spread 
through  the  camp. 

During  this  period  of  scarcity  and  discontent,  small 
quantities  of  supplies  were  occasionally  forwarded  by  the 
contractors,  but  not  a  sufficiency  for  present  want,  and  still 
less  to  remove  the  apprehensions  that  were  entertained  for 
the  future.  At  length,  revolt  began  to  show  itself  openly. 
The  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  militia,  collecting  in  their 
tents,  and  talking  over  their  grievances,  determined  to 
yield  their  patriotism,  and  to  abandon  the  camp.  To  this 
measure,  there  were  good  evidences  for  believing  that  se- 
veral of  the  officers  of  the  old  volunteer  corps  exerted 
themselves  clandestinely  to  instigate  them;  looking  upon 
themselves  somewhat  in  the  light  of  veterans,  from  the 
discipline  they  had  acquired  in  the  expedition  to  the 
lower  country,  they  were  unwilling  to  be  seen  foremost  in 
setting  an  example  of  insubordination,  and  wished  to  make 
the  defection  of  others  a  pretext  for  their  own. 

Jackson,  apprized  of  their  determination  to  abandon 
him,  resolved  to  oppose  it,  and  at  all  hazard,  to- prevent  a 
departure.  In  the  morning,  when  they  w^ere  to  carry 
their  intentions  into  execution,  he  drew  up  the  volunteers 
in  front  of  them,  with  positive  commands  to  prevent  their 
progress,  and  compel  them  to  return  to  their  former  po- 
sition in  the  camp.  The  militia  seeing  this,  and  fearing 
the  consequences  of  persisting  in  their  purpose,  at  once 
abandoned  it,  and  returned  to  their  quarters  without  fur- 
ther raiurmuring,  extolling  in  the  highest  terms,  the  unal- 
terable firmness  of  the  General. 

The  next  day,  however,  presented  a  singular  scene.  The 
volunteers,  who,  the  day  before,  had  been  the  instruments 
for  compelling  the  militia  to  return  to  their  duty,  seeing 
the  destruction  of  those  hopes  on  which  they  had  lately 
calculated,  in  turn  began,  themselves  to  mutiny.  Their 
opposition  to  the  departure  of  the  militia  was  but  a  mere 
D  2 


42  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

pretence  to  escape  suspicion,  for  they  silently  wished  them 
success.  They  now  determined  to  move  off  in  a  body, 
believing  from  the  known  disaffection  in  the  camp,  that 
the  General  could  find  no  means  to  prevent  it.  What 
was  their  surprise,  however,  when,  on  attempting  to  effec- 
tuate their  resolves,  they  found  the  same  men  whom  they 
had  so  lately  opposed,  occupying  the  very  position  which 
they  had  done  the  day  previous,  for  a  similar  purpose,  and 
manifesting  a  fixed  determination  to  obey  the  orders  of 
their  general  I  All  they  ventured  to  do,  was  to<take  the 
example  through,  and  like  them  move  back  in  peace  and 
quietness  to  their  quarters.  This  was  a  curious  change 
of  circumstances,  when  we  consider  in  how  short  a  time 
it  happened;  but  the  conduct  of  the  militia,  on  this  occa- 
sion, must  be  ascribed  to  the  ingenuity  and  management 
of  the  General,  and  to  the  gratification  they  felt,  in  being 
able  to  defeat  the  views  of  those  who  had  so  lately  thwarted 
their  own.  To  this  may  be  also  added,  the  consciousness 
all  must  have  entertained,  that  the  privations  of  which 
they  complained  were  far  less  grievous  than  they  had  re- 
presented them;  by  no  means  sufficient  to  justify  revolt, 
and  not  greater  than  patriots  might  be  expected  to  bear 
without  a  murmur,^  when  objects  of  such  high  considera- 
tion were  before  them.  But  anxious  to  return  to  their 
families  and  kindred, — wearied  of  their  difficulties  and 
sufferings,  and  desirous  to  recount  the  brilliant  exploits  of 
their  first  battle,  they  seized  with  eagerness  every  pretext 
for  exoneration,  and  listened  with  too  great  docility  to  the 
representations  of  those,  who  were  influenced  by  less 
honourable  feelings.  Having  many  domestic  considera- 
tions to  attend  to — the  first  ebullition  of  resentment  being 
cooled,  and  the  first  impulse  of  curiosity  gratified,  there 
were  no  motives  to  retain  them  in  the  field,  but  a  remain- 
ing sense  of  honour,  and  the  fear  of  disgrace,  should  they 
abandon  their  post  without  a  cause.  But  although  these 
motives  were  sufficient  for  the  present,  those  who  were 
governed  by  them  did  not  cease  to  wish,  that  a  more 
plausible  apology  might  offer  for  dispensing  with  their 
operation.  The  militia  continued  to  show  a  much  more 
obedient  and  patriotic  disposition  than  the  volunteers; 
who,  having  adopted  a  course  which  they  discovered 
must  finally  involve  them  in  dishonour,  if  it  should  fail, 
w^erc  exceedingly  anxious  for  its  success,  and  that  it  might 
have  the  appearance  of  being  founded  on  justice.    On  this 


CHAPTER    III.  43 

•subject,  the  pretensions  of  the  cavalry  were  much  better 
established;  as  they  were  entirely  without  forage,  and 
without  the  prospect  of  speedily  obtaining  any.  They  pQ- 
titioned  therefore  to  be  permitted  to  return  into  the  settled 
parts  of  the  country,  pledging  themselves,  by  their  platoon 
and  field  officers,  that  if  sufficient  time  were  allowed  to 
recruit  the  exhausted  state  of  their  horses,  and  to  procure 
their  winter  clothing,  they  would  return  to  the  perform- 
ance of  i*heir  duty  whenever  called  on.  The  General, 
unable,  from  many  causes,  to  prosecute  the  campaign, 
and  confiding  in  the  assurance  given,  granted  the  prayer 
of  their  petition,  and  they  immediately  set  out  on  their  re- 
turn. 

About  this  time  General  Jackson's  prospect  of  being 
able  to  maintain  the  conquests  he  had  made,  began  to  be 
cheered  by  letters  received  from  the  contractors,  stating, 
that  sufficient  supplies  for  the  army  were  then  on  the  way, 
and  would  shortly  arrive:  but  discontents  to  an  alarming 
degree,  still  prevailed  in  his  camp.  I'o  allay  them,  if 
possible,  he  hastened  to  lay  before  the  division  the  infor- 
mation and  letters  he  had  received,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
invited  the  field  and  platoon  officers  to  his  quarters,  to 
consult  on  the  measures  proper  to  be  pursued.  Having 
assembled  them,  and  well  knowing  that  the  flame  of  dis- 
content, which  had  so  lately  shown  itself,  was  only  for  the 
present  smothered,  and  might  yet  burst  forth  in  serious 
injury,  he  addressed  themi  in  an  animated  speech,  in  which 
he  extolled  their  patriotism  and  achievements;  lamented 
the  privations  to  which  they  had  been  exposed,  and  en- 
deavoured to  reanimate  them  by  the  prospect  of  speedy 
relief,  which  he  expected  with  confidence  on  the  following 
day.  He  spoke  of  the  immense  importance  of  the  con- 
quests they  had  already  made,  and  of  the  consequences 
that  must  result  should  they  be  now  abandoned.  "What," 
continued  he,  "is  the  present  situation  of  our  camp?  a 
number  of  our  fellow  soldiers  are  wounded,  and  unable  to 
help  themselves.  Shall  it  be  said  that  we  are  so  lost  to 
humanity  as  to.  leave  them  in  this  condition?  Can  any 
one,  under  these  circumstances,  and  under  these  prospects, 
consent  to  an  abandonment  of  the  camp;  of  all  that  we 
have  acquired  in  the  midst  of  so  many  difficulties,  priva- 
tions, and  dangers;  of  what  it  will  cost  us  so  much  to  re- 
gain; of  what  we  never  can  regain, — our  brave  wounded 
companions,  who  will  be  murdered  by  our  unthinking,  un- 


44-  LIFE  OF  GEKERAL  JACKSON. 

feeling  mhumanity?  Surely  there  can  be  none  such!  No, 
we  will  take  with  us,  when  we  go,  our  wounded  and  sick. 
They  must  not — shall  not  perish  by  our  cold-blooded  in- 
difference. But  why  should  you  despond  ?  I  do  not,  and 
yet  your  wants  are  not  greater  than  mine.  To  be  sure  we 
do  not  live  sumptuously:  but  no  one  has  died  of  hunger, 
or  is  likely  to  die;  and  then  how  animating  are  our  pros- 
pects !  Large  supplies  are  at  Deposit,  and  already  are  of- 
ficers despatched  to  hasten  them  on.  Wagons  are  on  the 
way:  a  large  number  of  beeves  are  in  the  neighbourhood; 
and  detachments  are  out  to  bring  them  in.  All  these  re- 
sources surely  cannot  fail.  I  have  no  wish  to  starve  you 
— none  to  deceive  you.  Stay  contentedly;  and  if  sup- 
plies do  not  arrive  in  two  days,  we  will  all  march  back  to- 
gether, and  throw  the  blame  of  our  failure  where  it  should 
properly  lie; .  until  then  we  certainly  have  the  means  of 
subsisting;  and  if  we  are  compelled  to  bear  privations, 
let  us  remember  that  they  are  borne  for  our  country,  and 
are  not  greater  than  many — perhaps  most  armies  have  been 
compelled  to  endure.  I  have  called  you  together  to  tell 
you  my  feelings  and  my  wishes;  this  evening  think  on 
them  seriously;  and  let  me  know  yours  in  the  morning. " 
Having  retired  to  their  tents,  and  deliberated  on  the 
measures  niost  pix)per  to  be  adopted  in  this  emergency, 
the  officers  of  the  volunteer  brigade  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion, that  "nothing  short  of  marching  the  army  imme- 
diately back  to  the  settlements  could  prevent  those  diffi- 
culties and  that  disgrace,  which  would  attend  a  forcible 
desertion  of  the  camp  by  his  soldiers."  The  officers  of  the 
militia  determined  differently,  and  reported  a  willingness 
to  maintain  the  post  a  fevv^  days  longer,  that  it  might  be 
ascertained  whether  or  not  a  sufficiency  of  provisions  could 
really  be  had.  "  If  it  can,  let  us  proceed  with  the  campaign 
•—if  not,  let  us  be  marched  back  to  where  it  can  be  pro- 
cured." The  General,  who  greatly  preferred  the  latter 
opinion,  nevertheless,  to  allay  excitement,  was  disposed  to 
gratify  those  \\  ho  appeared  unwilling  to  submit  to  further 
hardships;  and  with  this  view  ordered  General  Hall  to 
march  his  brigade  of  volunteers  to  Fort  Deposit,  and  after 
satisfying  their  wants,  to  return,  and  act  as  an  escort  to 
the  provisions.  The  second  regiment  consented  to  re- 
main; and  the  first  proceeded  alone.  On  this  occasion 
he  could  not  forbear  to  remark,  that  men  for  whom  he 
had  ever  cherished  so  warm  an  affection,  and  for  whom 


CHAPTER    III.  45 

he  would  at  all  times  have  made  any  sacrifice,  desiring  to 
abandon  him  at  a  moment  when  their  presence  was  so  par- 
ticularly necessary,  filled  him  with  emotions  which  the 
strongest  language  was  too  feeble  to  express.  "I  was  pre- 
pared," he  continued,  '*  to  endure  every  evil  but  disgrace; 
and  this,  as  I  never  can  submit  to  myself,  I  can  give  no 
encouragement  to  in  others." 

Two  days  had  elapsed  since  the  departure  of  the  twelve 
months'  volunteers,  and  supplies  had  not  arrived.  The 
militia,  with  great  earnestness,  now  demanded  a  perfor- 
mance of  the  pledge  that  had  been  given — that  they  should 
be  marched  back  to  the  settlements.  Jackson,  on  giving 
them  an  assurance  that  they  should  return,  if  reliei 
did  not  reach  them  in  two  days,  had  indulged  a  confi- 
dence that  it  would  certainly  arrive  by  that  time;  and 
now,  from  the  information  he  had  received,  felt  more 
than  ever  certain  that  it  could  not  be  far  distant.  Hav- 
ing, however,  pledged  himself,  he  could  use  no  argu- 
ments or  entreaties  to  detain  them  any  longer,  and  imme- 
diately took  measures  for  complying  with  their  wishes,  and 
the  promise  he  had  made.  This  was,  to  him,  a  moment 
of  the  deepest  dejection.  He  foresaw  how  difficult  it 
would  be,  ever  to  accomplish  the  object  upon  which  his 
mind  was  so  devoutly  fixed,  should  he  lose  the  men  who 
were  now  with  him;  or  even  to  regain  the  conquests  he 
had  made,  if  his  present  posts  should  fall  into  the  hands 
of  tlie  enemy.  While  thus  pondering  on  the  gloomy 
prospect,  he  lifted  up  his  hands  and  exclaimed,  with  a 
look  and  manner  which  showed  how  much  he  felt — "  If 
only  two  men  will  remain  with  me,  I  will  never  abandon 
this  post."  Captain  Gordon,  of  the  spies,  facetiously  re- 
plied,''jou  have  one.  General,  let  us  look  if  we  can't  find 
another,"  and  immediately,  with  a  zeal  suited  to  the  occa- 
sion, undertook,  with  som'e  of  the  general  staff,  to  raise 
volunteers^  and  in  a  little  while  succeeded  in  procuring 
one  hundred  and  nine,  who  declared  a  determination  to 
remain  and  protect  the  post. 

The  General  greatly  rejoiced  that  he  would  not  be  com- 
pelled to  an  entire  abandonment  of  his  position,  now  set 
out  towards  Deposit,  with  the  remainder  of  the  army, 
who  were  given  distinctly  to  understand,  that  on  meeting 
supplies  they  were  to  return  and  prosecute  the  campaign. 
This  was  an  event,  which,  as  ii  had  been  expected,  scon 
took  place:  they  had  not  proceeded  more  than  ten  or 


46  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

twelve  miles,  when  they  met  a  hundred  and  fifty  beeves; 
but  a  sight  which  gave  to  Jackson  so  much  satisfaction, 
was  to  them  the  most  disagreeable  and  unwelcome.  Their 
faces  being  turned  towards  home,  no  spectacle  could  be 
more  hateful  than  one  which  wias  to  change  their  destina- 
tion. They  were  halted,  and  having  satisfied  their  hungry 
appetites,  the  troops,  with  the  exception  of  such  as  were 
necessary  to  proceed  with  the  sick  and  wounded,  were  or- 
dered to  return  to  the  encampment — he  himself  intending  ^j 
to  see  the  contractors,  and  establish  more  effectual  arrange-  f 
ments  for  the  future.  So  great  was  their  aversion  to  re- 
turning, that  they  preferred  a  violation  of  their  duty  and 
their  pledged  honour.  Low  murmurings  ran  along  the 
lines,  and  presently  broke  out  into  open  mutiny.  In  spite 
of  the  order  they  had  received,  they  began  to  revolt,  and 
one  company  was  already  moving  off,  in  a  direction  to- 
wards home.  They  had  proceeded  some  distance,  before 
information  of  their  departure  was  had  by  Jackson.  Irri- 
tated at  their  conduct,  in  attempting  to  violate  the  pro- 
mise they  had  given,  and  knowing  that  the  success  of  fu- 
ture operations  depended  on  the  result,  the  general  pursued 
until  he  came  near  a  part  of  his  staff,  and  a  few  soldiers 
diers,  who,  with  General  Coffee,  had  halted  about  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  ahead.  He  ordered  them  to  form  immedi- 
ately across  the  road,  and  to  fire  on  the  mutineers  if  they 
attempted  to  proceed.  Snatching  up  their  arms,  these 
faithful  adherents  presented  a  front  which  threw  the  de- 
serters into  affright,  and  caused  them  to  retreat  precipi- 
tately to  the  main  body.  Here,  it  was  hoped,  the  matter 
would  end,  and  that  no  further  opposition  would  be  made 
to  returning.  This  expectation  was  not  realized ;  a  muti- 
nous temper  began  presently  to  display  itself  throughout 
the  whole  brigade.  Jackson,  in  the  hope  of  reconciling  all 
discontent,  had  gone  out  alone  'amongst  the  troops,  who 
were  at  some  distance;  on  his  arrival,  he  found  a  much 
more  extensive  mutiny  than  that  which  had  just  been  quell- 
ed. Almost  the  whole  brigade  had  put  itself  into  an  atti- 
tude for  moving  forcibly  off.  A  crisis  had  arrived;  and 
feeling  its  importance,  he  determined  to  take  no  middle 
ground,  but  to  triumph  or  perish.  He  was  still  without 
the  use  of  his  left  arm;  but,  seizing  a  musket,  and  resting 
it  on  the  neck  of  his  horse,  he  threw  himself  in  front  of 
the  column,  and  threatened  to  fire  on  the  first  man  who 
should  attempt  to  advance.  For  many  minutes  the  columii 


CHAPTER  III.  47 

preserved  a  sullen,  yet  hesitating  attitude,  fearing  to  pro- 
ceed in  their  purpose,  and  disliking  to  abandon  it.  In  the 
mean  time,  those  who  remained  faithful  to  their  duty, 
amounting  to  about  two  companies,  were  collected  and 
formed  at  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  the  troops,  and 
in  rear  of  the  General,  with  positive  directions  to  imitate 
his  example  in  firing,  if  they  attempted  to  proceed.  At 
length,  finding  no  one  bold  enough  to  advance,  and  over- 
taken by  those  fears  which  in  the  hour  of  peril  always  be- 
set persons  engaged  in  what  they  know  to  be  a  bad  cause, 
they  abandoned  their  purpose,  and  turning  quietly  round, 
agreed  to  return  to  their  posts.  It  is  very  certain,  that, 
but  for  the  firmness  of  the  General,  at  this  critical  mo- 
ment, the  campaign  would  have  been  broken  up,  and  most 
probably  not  commenced  again. 

Good  order  and  quiet  being  restored.  General  Jackson 
proceeded  to  Fort  Deposit,  with  a  view  to  concert  some 
arrangement  with  the  contractors,  by  which  supplies,  in 
future,  might  be  regular  and  certain.  The  volunteers, 
who  had  returned,  here  began  to  manifest  the  same  un- 
willingness to  return  to  their  duty  that  the  militia  had 
done,  and  were  about  to  break  out  into  the  same  spirit  of 
mutiny  and  revolt ;  but  were  restrained  by  an  animated  ad- 
dress of  the  General,  who,  having  assembled  them  toge- 
ther, painted,  in  the  most  glowing  colours,  all  the  conse- 
quences that  were  to  be  apprehended,  if,  from  any  fault 
of  theirs,  the  campaign  should  be  abandoned,  or  ineffec- 
tually prosecuted.  By  this  mean,  he  succeeded  once  more 
in  restoring  quietness  to  his  troops. 

He  now  set  out  on  his  Avay  to  Fort  Strother,  and  was 
delighted  to  find,  by  the  progress  of  the  works,  the  indus- 
try that  had  been  used  in  his  absence.  But  the  satisfaction 
he  felt,  and  the  hopes  he  began  to  cherish,  were  of  short 
continuance.  Although  he  had  succeeded  in  stilling  the 
tumult  of  the  volunteers,  and  in  prevailing  on  them  to  re- 
turn to  their  posts,  it  was  soon  discovered  he  had  not  era- 
dicated their  deep-rooted  aversion  to  a  further  prosecution 
of  the  war.  Nothing  is  more  difficult  than  to  re-animate 
men  who  have  once  lost  their  spirits,  or  inspire  with  new 
ardour  those  in  whom  it  has  lately  become  extinct.  Even 
where  the  evils,  which  produced  the  change,  are  removed, 
apologies  will  be  sought,  and  pretexts  seized,  for  justify- 
ing and  preserving  the  present  tone  of  mind.  The  volun- 
teers who  had  so  lately  clamoured  about  bread,  now,  when 


48  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

they  were  no  longer  hungry,  began  to  clamour,  with  equal 
earnestness,  about  their  term  of  service.  Having  made 
an  effort  to  forsake  the  drudgery  of  the  field,  and  failed, 
they  were  disposed  to  avail  themselves  of  any  pretexts, 
seemingly  plausible,  to  obtain  success.  They  insisted  that 
the  period,  for  which  they  had  volunteered  to  act,  would 
end  on  the  10th  of  December,  that  being  the  termination 
of  a  year  from  the  day  they  had  first  entered  into  service; 
and  although  they  had  been  a  greater  part  of  the  time  dis- 
engaged, and  unemployed,  that  recess  was  nevertheless 
to  be  taken  into  the  computation.  Jackson  replied,  that  the 
law  of  congress,  under  which  they  had  been  tendered  and 
accepted,  requiring  one  year's  service  out  of  two,  could 
contemplate  nothing  less  than  an  actual  service  of  three 
hundred  and  sixty-five  days;  and,  until  that  were  perform- 
ed, he  could  not,  unless  specially  authorized,  undertake  to 
discharge  them.  But  as  this  was  a  question  not  likely  to  be 
settled  by  argument,  and  as  the  consequences  v/ere  easily 
to  be  foreseen,  if  they  should  persist  in  their  demands,  the 
General  began  to  think  of  providing  other  means  for  a 
continuance  of  the  campaign,  that,  in  the  worst  extreme, 
he  might  not  be  unprepared  to  act.  Ordering  General 
Roberts  to  return,  and  to  supply  the  deficiencies  in  his 
brigade,  he  now  'despatched  Colonel  Carroll  and  Major 
Searcy,  into  Tennessee,  to  raise  volunteers,  for  six  months, 
or  during  the  campaign;  writing,  at  the  same  time,  to 
many  respectable  characters,  he  exhorted  them  to  contri- 
bute all  their  assistance  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  ob- 
ject. To  a  letter,  just  received  from  the  Reverend  Gideon 
Blackburn,  assuring  him  that  volunteers  would  eagerly 
hasten  to  his  relief,  if  they  knew  their  services  were  want- 
ed, he  replied,  "Reverend  Sir, — Your  letter  has  been  just 
received:  I  thank  you  for  it;  I  thank  you  most  sincerely.  It 
arrived  at  a  moment  when  my  spirits  needed  such  a  supportr 
**  I  left  Tennessee  with  an  army,  brave,  I  believe,  as 
any  general  ever  commanded.  I  have  seen  them  in  battle, 
and  my  opinion  of  their  bravery  is  not  changed.  But  their 
fortitude — on  this  too  I  relied — has  been  too  severely  test- 
ed. Perhaps  I  was  wrong,  in  believing  that  nothing  but 
death  could  conquer  the  spirits  of  brave  men.  I  am  sure 
I  was;  for  my  men,  I  know,  are  brave;  yet  privations  have 
rendered  them  discontented: — that  is  enough.  The  expe- 
dition must  nevertheless  be  prosecuted  to  a  successful  ter- 
mination.    New  volunteers  must  be  raised,  to  conclude 


CHAPTER  lit.  49 

what  has  been  so  auspiciously  begun  by  the  old  ones. 
Gladly  would  I  save  these  men  from  themselves,  and  in- 
sure them  a  harvest  which  they  have  sown;  but  if  they 
will  abandon  it  to  others,  it  must  be  so. 

**  You  are  good  enough  to  say,  if  I  need  your  assistance, 
it  will  be  cheerfully  afforded :  I  do  need  it  greatly.  The  in- 
fluence you  possess  over  the  minds  of  men  is  great  and 
well-founded,  and  can  never  be  better  applied  than  in  sum- 
moning volunteers  to  the  defence  of  their  country,  their 
liberty,  and  their  religion.  While  we  fight  the  savage, 
who  makes  war  only  because  he  delights  in  blood,  and  who 
has  gotten  his  booty,  when  he  has  scalped  his  victim,  we 
ai^  through  him,  contending  against  an  enemy  of  more 
inveterate  character,  and  deeper  design — who  would  de- 
molish a  fabric  cemented  by  the  blood  of  our  fathers,  and 
endeared  to  us  by  all  the  happiness  we  enjoy.  So  far  as 
my  exertions  can  contribute,  the  purposes,  both  of  the  sa- 
vage and  his  instigator,  shall  be  defeated;  and  so  far  as 
yours  can,  I  hope — I  know,  they  will  be  employed.  I  have 
said  enough.—-!  want  men,  and  want  them  immediately." 

Anxious  to  prosecute  the  campaign  as  soon  as  possible, 
that  by  employing  his  troops  actively,  he  might  dispel 
from  their  minds  those  discontents  so  frequently  manifest- 
ed, he  wrote  to  General  Cocke,  desiring  and  urging  him 
to  unite  with  him  immediately,  with  fifteen  hundred  men. 
He  assured  him  that  the  mounted  men,  who  had  returned 
to  the  settlements  for  subsistence,  and  to  recruit  their 
horses,  would  arrive  by  the  12th  of  the  month.  He  wished 
to  commence  his  operations  directly,  "  knowing  they  would 
be  prepared  for  it,  and  well  knowing  they  would  re- 
quire it."  "  I  am  astonished,"  he  continued,  "  to  hear  that 
your  supplies  continue  deficient.  In  the  name  of  God, 
what  are  the  contractors  doing,  and  about  what  are  they 
engaged  ?  Every  letter  I  receive  from  Governor  Blount, 
assures  me  I  am  to  receive  plentiful  supplies  from  them, 
and  seems  to  take,for  granted,  notwithstanding  all  I  have 
said  to  the  contrary,  that  they  have  been  hitherto  regularly 
furnished.  Considering  the  generous  loan  the  state  has 
made  for  this  purpose,  and  the  facility  of  procuring  bread 
stuffs  in  East  -Tennessee,  and  of  transporting  them  by 
water  to  Fort  Deposit,  it  is  to  me  wholly  unaccountable 
that  not  a  pound  has  ever  arrived  at  that  place.  This 
evil  must  continue  no  longer — it  must  be  remedied.  I 
expect,  therefore,  and  through  you  must  require,  that 
s 


50  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

in  twenty  days  they  furnish  at  Deposit  every  necessary 
supply."* 

Whilst  these  measures  were  taking,  the  volunteers, 
through  several  of  their  officers,  were  pressing  on  the  con- 
sideration of  the  General,  the  expiration  of  their  term  of 
service,  and  claiming  to  be  discharged  on  the  10th  of  the 
month.  From  the  colonel  who  commanded  the  second  re- 
giment, he  received  a  letter,  dated  the  4th,  in  which  was 
attempted  to  be  detailed  their  whole  ground  of  complaint. 
He  began  by  stating,  that  painful  as  it  was,  he,  neverthe- 
less, felt  himself  bound  to  disclose  an  important  and  un- 
pleasant truth;  that,  on  the  10th,  the  service  would  be  de- 
prived of  the  regiment  he  commanded.  He  seemed  to 
deplore,  with  great  sensibility,  the  scene  that  would  be  ex- 
hibited on  that  day,  should  opposition  be  made  to  their 
departure;  and  still  more  sensibly,  the  consequences  that 
would  result  from  a  disorderly  abandonment  of  the  camp. 
He  stated  they  had  all  considered  themselves  finally  dis- 
charged on  the  20th  of  April,  and  never  knew  to  the  con- 
trary, until  they  saw  his  order  of  the  24th  of  September, 
requiring  them  to  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville,  on  the  4th 
of  October;  for  the  first  time,  they  then  learned  that  they 
owed  further  servijces,  their  discharge  to  the  contrary  not- 
withstanding. ''Thus  situated,  there  was  considerable 
opposition  to  the  order;  on  which  the  officers  generally,  as 
I  am  advised,  and  I  know  myself  in  particular,  gave  it  as 
an  unequivocal  opinion,  that  their  term  of  service  would 
terminate  on  the  10th  of  December. 

*'  They  therefore  look  to  their  general,  who  holds  their 
confidence,  for  an  honourable  discharge  on  that  day;  and 
that,  in  every  respect,  he  will  see  justice  done  to  them. 
They  regret  that  their  peculiar  situations  and  circum- 
stances require  them  to  leave  their  general  at  a  time  when 
their  services  are  important  to  the  common  cause. 

•  Independent  of  an  advantageous  contract  rftade  with  tlie  govern- 
ment, the  state  of  Tennessee  had  extended  to  this  conti-actor  a  liberal 
loan,  that  immediate  supplies  might  be  forwarded.  Unfortunately, 
however,  and  it  is  a  misfortune  that  will  always  continue  so  long  as  tlie 
present  mode  of  supplying  our  armies  is  persisted  in,  tlie  contract  was 
disregarded ;  nor  did  complaints  on  the  subject  cease,  even  to  tlie  close 
of  die  Mar.  Great  as  was  tlie  evil,  no  adequate  remedy  was  at  hand  ; 
nor  was  it  confined  to  any  particular  section ;  but  in  all  directions, 
where  our  armies  moved,  were  complaints  heard,  and  tlieir  operations 
frustrated  through  tlie  misconduct  of  contractors. 


CHAPTER    III.  5\ 

"It  would  be  desirable,"  he  continued,  "that those  men 
who  have  served  with  honour,  should  be  honourably  dis- 
charged, and  that  they  should  return  to  their  families  and 
friends,  without  even  the  semblance  of  disgrace;  v/ith 
their  general  they  leave  it,  to  place  them  in  that  situation. 
They  have  received  him  as  an  affectionate  father,  whilst 
they  have  honoured,  revered,  and  obeyed  him;  but,  having 
devoted  a  considerable  portion  of  time  to  the  service  of 
their  country,  by  which  their  domestic  concerns  are 
greatly  deranged,  they  wish  tb  return  and  attend  to  their 
own  affairs." 

Although  this  communication  announced  the  determi- 
nation of  only  a  part  of  the  volunteer  brigade,  he  had  al- 
ready abundant  evidence  that  the  defection  was  but  too 
general.  The  difficulties  which  the  General  had  heretofore 
been  compelled  to  e!hcounter  from  the  discontents  of  his 
troops,  might  well  induce  him  to  regret  that  a  spirit  of 
insubordination  should  again  threaten  to  appear  in  his 
camp.  That  he  might,  if  possible,  prevent  it,  he  hastened 
to  lay  before  them  the  error  and  impropriety  of  their 
vie^'i'^,  and  the  consequences  likely  to  be  involved,  should 
they  persist  in  their  purpose. 

"I  know  not,"  he  observed,  "v/hat  scenes  will  be  exhi- 
bited on  the  10th  instant,  nor  what  consequences  are  to 
flow  from  them  here  or  elsewhere;  but  as  I  shall  have  the 
consciousness  that  they  are  not  imputable  to  any  miscon- 
duct of  mine,  I  trust  I  shall  have  the  firmness  not  to  shrink 
from  a  discharge  of  my  duty. 

"  It  v,  ill  be  well,  however,  for  those  who  intend  to  be- 
come actors  in  those  scenes,  and  who  are  about  to  hazard 
so  much  on  the  correctness  of  their  opinions,  to  examine 
beforehand,  with  great  caution  and  deliberation,  the 
grounds  on  which  their  pretensions  rest.  Are  they 
founded  on  any  false  assurances  of  mine,  or  upon  any  de- 
ception that  has  been  practised  towards  them  ?  Was  not 
the  act  of  congress,  under  which  they  are  engaged,  direct- 
ed, by  my  general  order,  to  be  read  and  expounded  to  them 
before  they  enrolled  themselves?  That  order  will  testify, 
and  so  will  the  recollection  of  every  general  officer  of  my 
division.  It  is  not  pretended,  that  those  who  now  claim  to 
be  discharged,  were  not  legally  and  fairly  enrolled  under 
the  act  of  congress  of  the  6th  of  February,  1812.  Have 
they  performed  the  service  required  of  them  by  that  act, 
and    which   they  then   solemnly  undertook  to   perform? 


52  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

That  required  one  year's  service  out  of  two,  to  be  com- 
puted from  the  day  of  rendezvous,  unless  they  should  be 
sooner  discharged.  Has  one  year's  service  been  perform- 
ed? This  cannot  be  seriously  pretended.  Have  they 
then  been  discharged  ?  It  is  said  they  have,  and  by  me. 
To  account  for  so  extraordinary  a  belief,  it  may  be  neces- 
sary to  take  a  review  of  past  circumstances. 

*'More  than  twelve  months  have  elapsed  since  we  were 
called  upon  to  avenge  the  injured  rights  of  our  country. 
We  obeyed  the  call!     In  the  midst  of  hardships,  which 
none  but  those  to  whom  liberty  is  dear  could  have  borne 
■without  a  murmur,  we  descended  the  Mississippi.     It  was 
believed  our  services  were  wanted  in  the  prosecution  of 
the  just  war  in  which  our  country  was  engaged,  and  we 
"were  prepared  to  render  them.     But,  though   we  were 
disappointed  in  our  expectations,  we  established  for  Ten- 
nessee a  name  which  will  long  do  her  honour.     At  length, 
we  received  a  letter  from  the  secretary  of  war,  directing 
our  dismission.     You  well  recollect  the  circumstances  of 
wretchedness  in  which  this  order  was  calculated  to  place 
us.     By  it,  we  were  deprived  of  every  article  of  public 
property;  no  provision  was  made  for  the  payment  of  our 
troops,  or  their  subsistence  on  their  return  march;  whilst 
many  of  our  sick,  unable  to  help  themselves,  must  have 
perished.     Against  the  opinion  of  many,  I  marched  them 
back  to  their  homes  before  I  dismissed  them.     Your  regi- 
ment,   at  its   own  request,  was  dismissed   at  Columbia. 
This  was  accompanied  with  a  certificate  to  each  man,  ex- 
pressing the  acts  under  which  he  had  been  enrolled,  and 
the  length  of  the  tour  he  had  performed.   This  it  is  which 
is  now  attempted  to  be  construed  'a  final  discharge;'  but 
surely  it  cannot  be  forgotten  by  any  bfficer  or  soldier,  how 
sacredly  they  pledged  themselves,  before  they  were  dis- 
missed, or  received  that  certificate,  cheerfully  to  obey  the 
voice  of  their  country,  if  it  should  re-summon  them  into 
service;  neither  can  it  be  forgotten,  I  dare  hope,  for  what 
purpose  that  certificate  was  given;   it  was  to  secure,  if 
possible,  to  those  brave  men,  who  had  shown  such  readi- 
ness to  serve  their   country,    certain  extra  emoluments, 
specified  in  the  seventh  section  of  the  act  under  which 
they  had  engaged,  in  the  event  they  were  not  recalled  into 
service  for  the  residue  of  their  term. 

"Is  it  true,  then,  that  my  solicitude  for  the  interest  of 
the  volunteers,  is  to  be  made  by  them  a  pretext  for  dis- 


CHAPTER  III.  ,  53 

gracing  a  name  which  they  have  rendered  illustrious?  Is 
a  certificate,  designed  solely  for  their  benefit,  to  become 
the  rallying  word  for  mutiny? — strange  perversion  of  feel- 
ing and  of  reasoning!  Have  I  really  any  power  to  dis- 
charge men  whose  term  of  service  has  not  expired  ?  If  I 
were  weak  or  wicked  enough  to  attempt  the  exercise  of 
such  a  power,  does  any  one  believe,  the  soldier  would  be 
thereby  exonerated  from  the  obligation  he  has  voluntarily 
taken  upon  himself  to  his  government  ?  I  should  become 
a  traitor  to  the  important  concern  which  has  been  en- 
trusted to  my  management,  while  the  soldier,  who  had 
been  deceived  by  a  false  hope  of  liberation,  would  be  still 
liable  to  redeem  his  pledge;  I  should  disgrace  myself, 
without  benefiting  you. 

"I  can  only  deplore  the  situation  of  those  officers  who 
have  undertaken  to  persuade  their  men,  that  their  term  of 
service  will  expire  on  the  10th.  In  giving  their  opinions 
to  this  effect,  they  have  acted  indiscreetly,  and  without  suf- 
ficient authority.  It  would  be  the  most  pleasing  act  of 
my  life,  to  restore  them  with  honour  to  their  families. 
Nothing  would  pain  me  more  than  that  any  other  senti- 
ments should  be  felt  towards  them,  than  those  of  gratitude 
and  esteem.  On  all  occasions,  it  has  been  my  highest 
happiness  to  promote  their  interest,  and  even  to  gratify 
their  wishes,  where,  with  propriety,  it  could  be  done. 
When  in  the  lower  country,  believing  that,  in  the  order 
for  their  dismissal,  they  had  been  improperly  treated,  I 
even  solicited  the  government  to  discharge  them,  finally, 
from  the  obligations  into  which  they  had  entered.  You 
know  the  answer  of  the  secretary  of  vvar;— that  neither  he 
nor  the  president,  as  he  believed,  had  the  power  to  dis- 
charge them.  How,  then,  can  it  be  required  of  me  to  do 
so? 

"  The  moment  it  is  signified  to  me  by  any  competent  au- 
thority, even  by  the  governor  of  Tennessee,  to  whom  I 
have  written  on  the  subject,  or  by  General  Pinckney,  who 
is  now  appointed  to  the  command,  that  the  volunteers  may 
be  exonerated  from  further  service,  that  moment  I  will 
pronounce  it,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction.  I  have  only 
the  power  of  pronouncing  a  discharge, — not  of  giving  it, 
in  any  case, — a  distinction  which  I  would  wish  should  be 
borne  in  mind.  Already  have  I  sent  to  raise  volunteers, 
on  my  own  responsibility,  to  complete  a  campaign  which 
has  been  so  happily  begun,  and  thus  far,  so  fortunately 
E  2 


54  LIFE   OF  GEXEIL\L  JACKSON. 

prosecuted.  The  moment  they  arrive,  and  I  am  assured, 
that,  fired  by  our  exploits,  they  will  hasten  in  crowds,  on 
the  first  intimation  that  we  need  their  services,  they  will 
be  substituted  in  the  place  of  those  who  are  discontented 
here;  the  latter  will  then  be  permitted  to  return  to  their 
homes,  with  all  the  honour  which,  under  such  circum- 
stances, they  can  carry  along  with  them.  But  I  still 
cherish  the  hope,  that  their  dissatisfaction  and  complaints 
have  been  greatly  exaggerated.  I  cannot,  must  not  be- 
lieve, that  the  'Volunteers  of  Tennessee,'  a  name  ever 
dear  to  fame,  will  disgrace  themselves,  and  a  country 
which  they  have  honoured,  by  abandoning  her  standard, 
as  mutineers  and  deserters;  but  should  I  be  disappointed, 
and  compelled  to  resign  this  pleasing  hope,  one  thing  I 
will  not  resign — my  duty.  Mutiny  and  sedition,  so  long 
as  I  possess  the  power  of  quelling  them,  shall  be  put  down; 
and  even  when  left  destitute  of  this,  I  will  still  be  found^ 
in  the  last  extremity,  endeavouring  to  discharge  the  duty 
I  owe  my  country  and  myself.  '* 

To  the  platoon  officers,  who  addressed  him  on  the  same 
subject,  he  replied  with  nearly  the  same  spirited  feeling; 
but  discontent  was  too  deeply  fastened,  and  by  designing 
men,  had  been  too  artfully  fomented,  to  be  removed  by 
any  thing  like  argument  or  entreaty.  At  length  on  the 
evening  of  the  9th,  General  Hall  hastened  to  the  tent  of 
Jackson,  with  information  that  his  whole  brigade  was  in  a 
state  of  mutiny,  and  making  preparations  to  move  forcibly 
off.  This  was  a  measure  which  every  consideration  of 
policy,  duty,  and  honour,  recjuired  Jackson  to  oppose; 
and  to  this  purpose  he  instantly  applied  all  the  means  he 
possessed.  He  immediately  issued  the  following  general 
order: 

**The  commanding  general  being  informed  that  an  ac- 
tual mutiny  subsists  in  his  camp,  all  officers  and  soldiers 
are  commanded  to  put  it  down. 

**  The  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  first  brigade  will, 
without  delay,  parade  on  the  west  side  of  the  fort,  and 
await  further  orders.''  The  artillery  company,  with  two 
small  field  pieces,  being  posted  in  the  front  and  rear,  and 
the  militia,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wynne,  on 
the  eminences,  in  advance,  were  ordered  to  prevent  any 
forcible  departure  of  the  volunteers. 

The  General  rode  along  the  line,  which  had  been  pre- 
viously formed  agreeably  to    his  orders,  and  addressed 


CHAPTER  in.  5i 

them,  by  companies,  in  a  strain  of  impassioned  eloquence. 
He  feelingly  expatiated  on  their  former  good  conduct,  and 
the  esteem  and  applause  it  had  secured  them;  and  pointed 
to  the  disgrace  which  they  must  heap  upon  themselves, 
their  families,  and  country,  by  persisting,  even  if  they 
could  succeed,  in  their  present  mutiny.  He  told  them, 
however,  they  should  not  succeed  biU  by  passing  over  his 
body;  that  even  in  opposing  their  mutinous  spirit,  he 
should  perish  honourably — by  perishing  at  his  post,  and 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.  "Reinforcements,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  are  preparing  to  hasten  to  my  assistance :  it  can- 
not be  long  before  they  will  arrive.  I  am,  too,  in  daily 
expectation  of  receiving  information  whether  you  may  be 
discharged  or  not — until  then,  you  must  not,  and  shall  not 
retire.  I  have  done  with  entreaty, — it  has  been  used  long 
enough. — I  will  attempt  it  no  more.  You  must  now  de- 
termine whether  you  will  go  or  peaceably  remain:  if  you 
still  persist  in  your  determination  to  move  forcibly  off,  the 
point  between  us  shall  soon  be  decided. "  At  first  they  he- 
sitated;—he  demanded  an  explicit  and  positive  answer. 
They  still  hesitated,  and  he  commanded  the  artillerist  to 
prepare  the  match;  he  himself  remaining  in  front  of  the 
volunteers,  and  within  the  line  of  fire,  which  he  intended 
goon  to  order.  Alarmed  at  his  apparent  determination, 
and  dreading  the  consequences  involved  in  such  a  contest; 
"Let  us  return,"  was  presently  lisped  along  the  line,  and 
soon  after  determined  upon.  The  officers  now  came  for- 
ward, and  pledged  themselves  for  their  men,  who  either 
nodded  assent,  or  openly  expressed  a  willingness  to  retire 
to  their  quarters,  and  remain  without  further  tumult,  until 
information  were  had,  or  the  expected  aid  should  arrive. 
Thus  passed  away  a  moment  of  the  greatest  peril,  and 
pregnant  with  important  consequences. 

Calculating  philosophers  may  maintain  the  opinion,  that 
conduct  like  that  pursued. on  this  occasion,  deserves  no 
other  name  than  rashness:  it  certainly  was  determined, 
and  proved  in  the  end  decisive.  At  such  a  moment,  he- 
sitation must  have  been  succeeded  by  a  defeat  of  purpose, 
and  an  entire  abandonment  by  his  troops.  To  have  been 
forsaken  in  such  a  manner,  and  under  such  circumstances, 
no  expectation  could  have  been  entertained  of  drawing  to 
the  service,  in  any  short  time,  additional  troops.  The 
consequence  must  have  been,  that  the  enemy,  not  subdued, 
but  only  exasperated,  might,   unmolested,  have  assailed 


56  LIFE  OF   GENERAL  JACKSON. 

our  unprotected  frontiers,  and  drenched  them  in  the  blood 
of  our  defenceless  citizens.  These  anticipations  were 
alarming-,  and  only  to  be  prevented  by  some  effort,  bold 
and  daring,  as  the  one  attempted.  It  was  hazardous,  yet 
it  succeeded. 

Although  the  immediate  execution  of  their  purpose  was 
thus  for  the  present  prevented,  it  was  presently  ascertain- 
ed not  to  be  wholly  abandoned,  and  that  nothing  could  be 
exacted  from  their  future  fidelity  and  services.  Jackson, 
therefore,  determined  to  rid  himself,  as  soon  as  possible,  of 
men  whose  presence  answered  no  other  end  than  to  keep 
alive  discontents  in  his  camp.  He  accordingly  prepared 
an  order  to  General  Hall,  to  march  his  brigade  to  Nash- 
ville, and  to  dispose  of  them  as  he  should  be  directed  by 
the  goveiTior  of  Tennessee.  Previous  to  promulgating 
this,  he  resolved  to  make  one  further  effort  to  retain  them, 
and  to  make  a  last  appeal  to  their  honour  and  patriotism. 
For  this  purpose,  having  assembled  them  before  the  fort, 
on  the  13th,  he  directed  his  aid-de-camp  to  read  the  fol- 
lowing address: 

"On  the  10th  of  December,  1812,  you  assembled  at  the 
call  of  your  country.  Your  professions  of  patriotism,  and 
ability  to  endure  fatigue,  were  at  once  tested  by  the  incle- 
mency of  the  weajher.  Breaking  your  way  through  sheets 
of  ice,  you  descended  the  Mississippi,  and  reached  the 
point  at  which  you  were  ordered  to  be  halted  and  dis- 
missed. All  this  you  bore  without  murmuring.  Finding 
that  your  services  were  not  needed,  the  means  for  march- 
ing you  back  were  procured;  every  difficulty  was  sur- 
mounted, and,  as  soon  as  the  point  from  which  you 
embarked  was  regained,  the  order  for  your  dismissal  vva3 
carried  into  effect.  The  promptness  with  which  you  as- 
sembled, the  regularity  of  your  conduct,  your  attention  to 
your  duties,  the  determination  manifested  on  every  occa- 
sion, to  carry  into  effect  the  wishes  and  will  of  your  gi>- 
vernmcnt,  placed  you  on  elevated  ground.  You  not 
only  distinguished  yourselves,  but  gave  to  your  state  a  dis- 
tinguished rank  with  her  sisters;  and  led  your  government 
to  believe,  that  the  honour  of  the  nation  would  never  be 
tarnished,  when  entrusted  to  the  holy  keeping  of  the  *  Vo- 
lunteers of  Tennessee.' 

"In  the  progress  of  a  war,  which  the  implacable  and 
eternal  enemy  of  our  independence  induced  to  be  waged, 
"we  found  that,  without  cause  on  our  part,  a  portion  of  the 


CHAPTER  III.  5f 

Creek  nation  was  added  to  the  number  of  our  foes.  To 
put  it  down,  the  first  glance  of  the  administration  fell  on 
you;  and  you  were  again  summoned  to  the  field  of  honour. 
In  full  possession  of  your  former  feelings,  that  summons 
was  cheerfully  obeyed.  Before  your  enemy  thought  you 
in  motion,  you  were  at  Tallushatchee  and  Talladega.  The 
thunder  of  your  arms  was  a  signal  to  them  that  the 
slaughter  of  your  countrymen  was  about  to  be  avenged. 
You  fought,  you  conquered !  barely  enough  of  the  foe  es- 
caped to  recount  to  their  savage  associates  your  deeds  of 
valour.  You  returned  to  this  place  loaded  with  laurels, 
and  the  applauses  of  your  country. 

**Can  it  be,  that  these  brave  men  are  about  to  become 
the  tarnishers  of  their  own  reputation  1 — the  destroyers  of 
a  name  which  does  them  so  much  honour?  Yc^,  it  is  a 
truth  too  well  disclosed,  that  cheerfulness  has  been  ex- 
changed for  complaints: — murmurings  and  discontents 
alone  prevail.  Men  who  a  little  while  since  were  offering 
up  prayers  for  permission  to  chastise  the  merciless  savage 
•—who  burned  with  impatience  to  teach  them  how  much 
they  had  hitherto  been  indebted  to  our  forbearance,  are 
now,  when  they  could  so  easily  attain  their  wishes,  seeking 
to  be  discharged.  The  heart  of  your  general  has  been 
pierced.  The  first  object  of  his  military  affections,  and 
the  first  glory  of  his  life,  were  the  volunteers  of  Tennessee  I 
The  very  name  recalls  to  him  a  thousand  endearing  recol- 
lections. But  these  men — these  volunteers,  have  become 
mutineers.  The  feelings  he  would  have  indulged,  your 
general  has  been  compelled  to  suppress — he  has  been 
compelled  by  a  regard  to  that  subordination,  so  necessary 
to  the  support  of  every  army,  and  which  he  is  bound  to 
have  observed,  to  check  the  disorder  which  would  have 
destroyed  you.  He  has  interposed  his  authority  for  your 
safety — to  prevent  you  from  disgracing  yourselves  and 
your  country.  Tranquillity  has  been  restored  in  our 
camp — contentment  shall  also  be  restored;  this  can  be 
done  only  by  permitting  those  to  retire  whose  dissatisfac- 
tion proceeds  from  causes  that  cannot  be  controlled.  This 
permission  will  now  be  given.  Your  country  will  dis- 
pense with  your  services,  if  you  have  no  longer  a  regard 
for  that  fame  which  you  have  so  nobly  earned  for  your- 
selves and  her.  Yes,  soldiers,  you  who  were  once  so 
brave,  and  to  whom  honour  was  so  dear,  shall  be  permitted 
to  return  to  your  homes  if  you  still  desire  it.     But  in  what 


1 


58  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

language,  when  you  arrive,  '.vill  you  address  your  families 
and  friends?  Will  you  tell  them  that  you  abandoned  your 
general  and  your  late  associates  in  arms,  within  fifty  miles 
of  a  savage  enemy;  who  equally  delights  in  shedding  the 
blood  of  the  innocent  female  and  her  sleeping  babe,  as  that 
of  the  warrior  contending  in  battle?  Lamentable,  dis- 
graceful tale!  If  your  dispositions  are  really  changed;  if 
you  fear  an  enemy  you  so  lately  conquered ;  this  day  will 
prove  it.  I  now  put  it  to  yourselves; — determine  upon 
the  part  you  will  act,  influenced  only  by  the  suggestions 
of  your  own  hearts,  and  your  own  understandings.  All 
who  prefer  an  inglorious  retirement,  shall  be  ordered  to 
Nashville,  to  be  discharged  as  the  president  or  the  go- 
vernor may  direct.  Those  who  choose  to  remain,  and 
unite  with  their  general  in  the  further  prosecution  of  the 
campaign,  can  do  so,  and  will  thereby  furnish  a  proof 
that  they  have  been  greatly  traduced;  and  that  although 
disaffection  and  cowardice  has  reached  the  hearts  of  some, 
it  has  not  reached  theirs.  To  such  my  assurance  is  given, 
that  former  irregularities  will  not  be  attributed  to  them. 
They  shall  be  immediately  organized  into  a  separate 
corps,  under  officers  of  their  own  choice;  and,  in  a  little 
while,  it  is  confidently  believed,  an  opportunity  will  be  af- 
forded of  adding  'to  the  laurels  you  have  already  won." 

Warm  and  feeling  as  was  the  appeal,  it  failed  of  the 
desired  effect.  Captain  Williamson  alone  agreed  to  re- 
main. Finding  that  their  determination  to  abandon  the 
service  could  not  be  changed,  and  that  every  principle  of 
patriotism  was  forgotten,  the  General  communicated  his 
order  to  General  Hall,  and  directed  him  to  march  his  bri- 
gade to  Nashville,  and  await  such  instructions  as  he 
might  receive  from  the  president,  or  the  governor  of 
Tennessee. 

Meantime  the  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen,  who,  under 
an  express  stipulation  to  return  and  complete  the  cam- 
paign, had  been  permitted  to  retire  into  the  settlements, 
to  recruit  their  horses  and  procure  winter  clothing,  had, 
at  the  time  appointed,  re-assembled  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Huntsville.  But,  catching  the  infection  of  discontent 
from  the  infantry,  on  their  return  march,  they  began  now 
to  clamour  with  equal  earnestness  for  a  discharge.  The 
cavalry  insisted  that  they  were  as  well  entitled  to  it  as  the 
infantry;  and  the  riflemen,  that  they  could  not  be  held  in 
service  after  the  24th,  that  being  three  months  from  the 


CHAPTER  II.  59 

time  they  had  been  mustered :  and  that  as  that  day  was  so 
near  at  hand,  it  was  wholly  useless  to  advance  any  farther. 
General  Coffee,  who  was  confined  at  Huntsville  by  se- 
vere indisposition,  employed  all  the  means  which  his  de- 
bilitated strength  would  allow,  to  remove  the  dangerous 
impressions  they  had  so  readily  imbibed,  and  to  reclaim 
them  to  a  sense  of  honour  and  of  duty;  but  all  his  efforts 
proved  unavailing.  He  immediately  ordered  his  brigade 
to  head-quarters:  they  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Ditto's 
ferry,  when  the  greater  part  of  them  refusing  to  cross  the 
river,  returned  in  a  tumultuous  manner,  committing  on 
the  route  innumerable  irregularities,  which  there  was  no 
force  sufficient  to  restrain.  Not  more  than  seven  hundred 
of  the  brigade  could  be  gotten  over ;  who,  having  march- 
ed to  Deposit,  were  directed  to  be  halted,  until  further 
orders  could  be  obtained  from  General  Jackson.  At  this 
place  they  committed  the  wildest  extravagancies;  pro- 
fusely wasting  the  public  grain,  which,  with  much  diffi- 
culty and  labour,  had  been  collected  for  the  purpose  of  the 
campaign;  and  indulging  in  every  species  of  excess. 
Whilst  thus  rioting,  they  continued  to  clamour  vocife- 
rously for  their  discharge.  General  Coffee  finding  his 
utmost  efforts  ineffectual,  to  restrain  or  to  quiet  them, 
wrote  to  Jackson,  acquainting  him  with  their  conduct  and 
demands,  and  enclosing  a  petition  that  had  been  addressed 
to  him  by  the  rifle  regiment.  In  his  letter  he  says,  "I  am 
of  opinion,  the  sooner  they  can  be  gotten  clear  of  the  bet- 
ter; they  are  consuming  the  forage  that  will  be  necessary 
for  others,  and  I  am  satisfied  they  will  do  no  more  good. 
I  have  told  them,  their  petition  would  be  submitted  to  you, 
who  would  decide  upon  it  in  the  shortest  possible  time," 
This  was  truly  disagreeable  news  to  the  General.  Already 
sufficiently  harassed  by  the  discontents  and  oppositions  of 
his  troops,  now  that  they  had  retired,  he  looked  anxiously 
forward,  indulging  a  hope  that  the  tranquillity  of  his  camp 
would  be  no  more  assailed.  On  the  brigade  of  Coffee,  he 
had  placed  great  reliance,  and,  from  the  pledges  it  had 
given  him,  entertained  no  fears  but  that  it  would  return 
and  act  with  him,  as  soon  as  he  should  be  ready  to  pro- 
ceed. He  replied  to  General  Coffee,  and  taking  a  view  of 
the  grounds  and  causes  of  their  complaints,  endeavoured 
to  reconcile  their  objections,  and  persuade  them  to  a  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  which  they  had  undertaken,  and  cove- 
nanted to  perform. 


60  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

The  signers  of  that  address,  observes  the  General,  com- 
mence by  saying,  'that  jealousy  is  prevailing  in  our  camp, 
with  respect  to  the  understanding  between  themselves  and 
the  government,  relative  to  the  service  required  of  them; 
and,  believing  it  to  be  its  policy  to  act  fairly,  are  of  opi- 
nion that  a  full  explanation  of  their  case  will  have  a  good 
effect  in  promoting  the  cause  in  which  they  are  engaged.' 

'*  What  can  have  given  rise  to  this  jealousy,  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  conjecture ;  for  surely  no  unfair  practices  were 
ever  used  by  their  government  to  get  them  into  the  ser- 
vice, nor  to  keep  them  in  it  longer  than  they  had  engaged 
To  remain.  How  long  that  was,  can  be  easily  determined 
by  the  law  under  which  they  were  accepted.  This  was 
open  to  all,  and  must  be  presumed  to  have  been  under- 
stood by  all.  But  for  a  complete  answer,  I  send  you  and 
refer  you  to  the  written  pledges,  of  both  the  field  and  pla- 
toon officers,  before  they  returned  to  recruit  their  horses, 
and  obtain  their  winter  clothing.  As  they  seem  com- 
pletely to  have  forgotten,  remind  them  of  all  they  contain, 
— of  their  assurances  given,  that,  if  what  they  asked  were 
granted,  they  would  return,  at  the  shortest  possible  notice, 
prepared  and  willing  to  go  through  the  winter  service,  or 
to  the  end  of  the  campaign.  Sensible  of  their  necessities, 
and  confiding  fully*  in  the  promises  they  made,  and  signed 
with  their  own  names,  I  permitted  them,  on  the  22d  ulti- 
mo, to  return  into  the  settlements,  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing fresh  horses  and  additional  clothing ;  and  required 
them,  to  which  they  readily  agreed,  to  rendezvous  in 
Madison,  on  the  8th  instant.  They  have  returned,  and 
now,  when  every  calculation  is  made  upon  their  services, 
agreeably  to  the  pledges  that  have  been  given,  they  send, 
(instead  of  coming,)  this  address.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, what  'explanation  of  their  case'  do  they  want? 
What  explanation  do  they  expect  their  general  to  give 
them?  Barely  to  remind  them  of  their  written  pledges, 
without  attempting  any  exposition  of  the  law,  under  which 
they  have  engaged,  is  surely  a  sufficient  answer.  An  ex- 
position of  it  will  not  be  attempted  by  me;  not  only  be- 
cause it  is  considered  unnecessary,  but  because  my  opi- 
nion on  it  has  been  already  frequently  given. 

"I  cannot  conceive  how  the  idea  has  arisen,  that  they 
are  attempted  to  be  detained  without  their  consent  To 
say  nothing  of  the  length  of  service  really  required  by  the 
law  under  which  they  were  accepted,  have  not  the  field  of- 


CHAPTER  III.  61 

ficers  given  their  written  consent  to  remain  during  the 
winter,  or  until  the  campaign  be  completed?  Have  they 
not  also  given  a  pledge  for  their  men,  and  the  officers  com- 
manding companies  and  platoons;  and  have  not  those 
company  and  platoon  officers,  given  a  similar  assurance 
for  themselves  and  their  men?  Let  them  look  to  these 
pledges,  and  blush  at  their  conduct. 

"They  also  remark,  'If  any  tender  of  services,  for  a 
longer  time  than  a  tour  of  duty,  (three  months,)  has  been 
made  to  the  general  government,  we  beg  leave  to  say,  it 
was  without  our  consent  or  knowledge;  and  we  are  con- 
vinced that,  in  all  contracts  that  are  binding,  both  parties 
must  fully  understand  and  consent  thereto.  We  wish  to 
be  permitted  to  return  home,  and  to  return  under  such  cir- 
cumstances as  will  entitle  us  to  be  praised,  instead  of 
blamed,  by  those  who  so  gallantly  led  us  to  battle.' 

"To  this  I  answer,  that  no  tender  for  any  specified  term 
of  service  was  ever  made  to  the  general  government  by  me, 
or  by  any  other  within  my  knowledge.  As  regards  their 
law  remark^  that  men,  to  be  bound  by  a  contract,  must  un- 
derstand and  consent  to  it,  it  will  be  a  sufficient  answer, 
that  those  who  volunteer  their  services,  under  a  public 
law,  are  presumed  to  understand  fully  all  its  provisions;  or, 
at  any  rate,  that  those  who  sign  an  instrument  drawn  up 
by  themselves,  cannot  reasonably  be  supposed  ignorant  of 
its  contents,  or  unwilling  to  abide  by  its  terms.  But  they 
must  be  lukewarm  patriots  indeed,  who,  in  the  moment 
of  danger  and  necessity,  can  halt  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duty  to  argue  and  quibble  on  the  construction  of  laws  and 
statutes. 

*' As  to  their  wish  'to  be  praised  instead  of  censured,' 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive  how  such  a  sentiment  should 
hold  a  place  in  the  breasts  of  men  who  are  about  to  aban- 
don the  cause  of  their  country  at  such  a  moment  as  this, 
and  under  such  engagements.  Even  if  it  be  possible  for 
such  men  to  desire  praise,  from  their  present  conduct  they 
cannot  expect  it,  nor  believe  themselves  entitled  to  receive 
it.  Before  they  can  have  determined  to  enter  upon  such 
a  course,  they  must  undoubtedly  have  prepared  their 
minds  to  meet  all  the  contumely  and  contempt  that  an  in- 
dignant country  can  heap  upon  such  Avind-blown  patriots; 
who,  vvhen  at  home,  clamoured  so  vociferously  about  her 
injured  rights,  and  having  taken  up  arms  to  defend  them, 
abandon  them  at  a  moment  when  they  are  most  in  danger. 

F 


62  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

A  grosser  aliment  than  praise  must  be  the  proper  nutri* 
ment  for  such  minds.  If  it  were  possible  that  any  doubt 
could  exist,  under  the  law  by  which  their  services  were  en- 
gaged, has  not  the  utmost  certainty  been  produced  by 
their  own  written  undertakings,  subsequently  made?  But 
on  the  question,  whether  their  country,  at  this  time,  needs 
their  services  in  the  field,  there  can  be  no  doubt.  And  is 
patriotism  to  be  measured  by  months,  and  weeks,  and 
days  ?  Is  it  by  such  a  computation,  that  the  volunteer, 
embarked  in  his  country's  defence,  hopes  to  entitle  him- 
self to  the  thanks  of  that  country,  when  her  rights  are  as- 
sailed, and  his  efforts  can  protect  them? — Be  it  so;  let  it 
be  even  granted,  that  these  men's  engagements  have  ex- 
pired under  the  law;  has  their  sacred  pledge,  in  writing, 
and  has  their  love  of  country  expired  ?  If  these  cannot 
bind  them  to  a  faithful  performance  of  their  duty,  I  know 
of  nothing  by  which  I  can  hope  to  hold  them." 

Few  men  had  ever  imposed,  the  necessity  of  contending 
with  greater  difficulties.  The  volunteers,  proud  of  the 
name,  and  conceiving  themselves  superior  to  the  militia, 
had  just  fought  their  first  battle;  and  if  suffering  had  not 
destroyed  their  early  excitement,  the  same  fervour  with 
which  they  set  out.might  have  still  continued;  but  the  ne- 
gligence or  interested  views  of  contractors,  had  introduced 
such  discontents,  as  that  to  repress  them,  boldness  and 
energy  were  required.  But  to  effect  this,  as  events  prov- 
ed, was  impracticable,  inasmuch  as  the  termination  of  one 
difficulty  seemed  but  the  commencement  of  another.  It 
is  not  wondrous  then,  that  the  patience  of  the  General 
should  have  been  exhausted;  or  in  the  address  presented 
he  should  have  indulged  those  feelings  which  the  occasion 
and  the  circumstances  were  so  well  calculated  to  inspire. 

To  have  addressed  them  in  a  strain  less  pointed  aiid  in- 
dependent, or  to  have  endeavoured  to  sooth  their  discon- 
tents by  entreaty,  might  at  some  other  time,  and  under 
different  circumstances,  have  been  better  resorted  to  for 
success;  but  the  ineffectual  attempts  that  had  been  made 
with  his  infantry,  who  had  forsaken  the  camp,  in  spite  of 
every  thing  that  persuasion,  threats,  or  honour  could  sug- 
gest, left  but  a  narrow  basis  on  which  to  erect  a  hope  of 
his  being  able  to  detain  them.  There  was  but  a  single 
course  left;  to  point  to  the  pledge  they  had  given,  and  ap- 
peal directly  to  their  honour,  believing  that  if  this  were 


CHAPTER    III. 


unsuccessful,  there  was  "  nothing  by  which  he  could  hope 
to  hold  them. " 

Jackson  had  just  received  a  letter  from  the  governor  of 
Tennessee,  in  answer  to  his  frequent  and  pressing  inqui- 
ries, as  to  the  disposition  which  should  be  made  of  the  vo- 
lunteers. It  recommended  what  had  already,  from  neces- 
sity, been  done;  to  dismiss— not  discharge  them,  because 
the  latter  was  not  in  the  power  of  either: — nor  was  their 
dismission  to  be  given,  because  founded  in  right;  but  be- 
cause, under  existing  circumstances,  their  presence  could 
not  prove  beneficial,  but  highly  injurious.  To  induce  them 
contentedly  to  remain,  the  governor  had  suggested  but 
one  argument,  which  had  not  already  been  unsuccessfully 
attempted ;  "  that  it  was  very  doubtful  if  the  government 
would  pay  them  for  the  services  they  had  already  render- 
ed, if  abandoned  without  her  authority."  It  is  true,  that 
avarice  sometimes  alters  a  determination,  when  other  con- 
siderations have  failed  of  success;  whether  this  appeal 
might  not  result  beneficially  with  the  cavalry,  whose  pre- 
sence was  greatly  desired,  was  at  least  worthy  the  trial. 
It  was  important,  however,  to  bring  it  before  them  in 
some  delicate  manner  to  awaken  inquiry,  and  guard 
against  offence.  The  letter  was  therefore  enclosed  for 
their  inspection,  accompanied  with  these  remarks: — ^'^I 
have  just  received  a  letter  from  Governor  Blount,  which  I 
hasten  to  transmit,  that  you  may  avail  yourselves  of  what- 
ever benefits  and  privileges  it  holds  out.  You  will  per- 
ceive, that  he  does  not  consider  he  has  any  power  to  dis- 
charge you, — neither  have  I : — but  you  have  my  permission 
to  retire  from  the  service,  if  you  are  still  desirous  of  doing 
so,  and  are  prepared  to  risk  the  consequences. " 

These  letters,  so  far  from  answering  the  desired  end, 
had  a  directly  contrary  effect.  That  of  the  governor  was 
no  sooner  read,  than  they  eagerly  laid  hold  of  it  to  sup- 
port the  resolution  they  had  already  formed ;  and  without 
further  ceremony  or  delay,  abandoned  the  campaign. 


64  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Discontents  of  the  militia. — Governor  Blount  recommends  an  aban- 
donment of  tlie  service. — Jackson's  reply  to  his  letter. — The  gt)- 
vernor  takes  measures  for  ,brin^ng  out  a  sufficient  force. — Militia 
retire  from  service. — Lieutenant  Kearley. — General  Jackson  endea- 
voiu-s  to  detain  the  East  Tennessee  troops. — His  address  to  them. 
— Arrival  of  additional  forces. — Expedition  against  the  Indians. — 
His  motives. — Battle  of  Emuckfuw. — General  Coffee  proceeds  to 
destroy  the  enemy's  fortifications.  —  Second  battle  of  Emuckfuw. — 
Troops  commence  their  return  march. — Ambuscade  formed  by  the 
Indians. — Battle  of  Enotichopco. 

The  events  just  portrayed,  satisfactorily  prove,  that 
militia  are  not  only  the  most  expensive  troops  in  war,  but 
such  as  cannot  be  relied  on  beyond  that  period  where  ex- 
citement and  buoyancy  of  spirit  is  pre.served;  and  even 
then,  none  but  the  most  determined  officers  can  control 
them.  Despondency  overtaking  them,  their  efficiency  is 
destroyed;  but,  when  mutinous,  they  are  rendered  worse 
than  useless. 

Whilst  these  unfortunate  events  were  transpiring  in  the 
rear,  matters  were  far  from  wearing  an  encouraging  as- 
pect at  head-quarters.  The  brigade  of  West  Tennessee 
militia,  at  no  time  full,  and  at  present  consisting,  in  con- 
sequence of  numerous  desertions,  of  about  six  hundred, 
imitating  the  evil  examples  lately  set  before  it,  began,  as 
the  day  on  which  they  imagined  themselves  entitled  to  a 
discharge  was  approaching,  to  turn  their  attention  towards 
home.  Believing  that  three  months  constituted  the  tour 
of  duty  contemplated  in  the  act  under  which  their  services 
had  been  engaged,  they  insisted  that  it  would  terminate 
on  the  4th  of  the  ensuing  month.  This,  however,  was  a 
construction  that  Jackson  was  by  no  means  disposed  to 
admit.  It  is  true,  the  act  had  not  defined  the  term  of 
their  engagement;  but  it  had  specified  the  object  of  calling 
them  out,  and  as  that  object  had  not  yet  been  attained,  it 
was  believed,  that  at  present,  they  were  not  entitled  to  a 
discharge.  In  addition  to  this,  these  troops,  although 
raised  by  the  state  authorities,  had  been  received  into 'the 
service  of  the  general  government,  under  the  act  of  con- 
gress authorizing  the  president  to  call  out  a  hundred 
thousand  militia,  to  serve  for  six  months,  unless  by  his 
own  order  they  should  be  previously  dismissed.     So  that, 


CHAPTER  IV.  "* 

whether  the  act  of  congress,  or  the  legislature  of  Tennes- 
see were  taken  as  the  governing  rule  in  this  case,  it  was  be- 
iCv'Jd  there  .vas  no  authority  competent  to  extend  to  them 
a  dTschar\e,  at  the  time  it  was  threatened  to  be  demand- 
ed    ThI  militia  of  East  Tennessee,  having  been  specially 
mistered  Tnto  service  for  three  months,  would,  of  course 
rCu  tkd  to  claim  their  dismissal  at  the  expiration  of  1  at 
ceriod    hence  Colonel  LiUiard's  regiment,which  constitut- 
ed more  than  one  half  the  present  force  at  head-quarters, 
wo^d  be  lostto  the  service  on  the  14th  of  the  next  month 
With  the  failure  of  General  Cocke,  to  brmg  m  o    he 
field  the  number  and  description  of  "■°°PV'''"'^'^ '^^,'^^f. 
been  ordered  to  raise  under  the  requf '  '°"  ^^^  *^.  P^'^^'^ 
dent,   as  well  as  with  the  temper  and  demands  o*  'hose 
who  were  in  service,  Jackson  kept  the  governor  of   1  en- 
ressercorrectly  advised;  and  omitted  no  opportunity  of 
en  reatinJ  him,  in  the  most  pressing  manner,  to  take  the 
ea   iest  measui-es  for   supplying  by   draft,   o'.  ™lunta^y 
enlistment,  the  present  deficiency,  as  well  as  th^^^^'^h 
from  every  appearance,  was   soon  to  be  expectea.      lo 
the"   solicitations,  he  had  now  received  the  governors 
answer,    who    stated,   that,    havmg    given   an    <»dei    to 
bring    into  the   field   fifteen    hundred   of    the   detached 
miufia,    as  was   required  by  the  secretary  of  war,   and 
a  thousand  volunteers,  under  the  act  "^  *^,  .•'^SJ^^Tei 
of  Tennessee  of   the  24th   September,  he   did   no     fee^ 
himself  authorized  to  grant  any  new  mandate,  although 
saUsfied    that    the   firsUhad   not   been    complied   with; 
hat  he  viewed  the  further  prosecution  of  the  campaign, 
attended  as  it  was  with  so  many  embarrassments,   as  a 
fruUle  s  endeavour;  and  concluded  by  recommending,  as 
aHvUahle    to  withdraw  the  troops  into  the  seutlements, 
:nd    Send  aU  active  operations,'until  the  g-era   govern- 
ment should  provide  more  effectual  ™^ans  for  conducting 
it  to  a  favourable  result.     Jackson,  far  from  having  any 
intention  to  yield  to  this  advice,  determined  to  oppose  it 
Still,  however,  he  was  greatly  eoncerned  at  the  Mew    he 
chief  magistrate  of  his  state  seemed  to  take  of  a  qnfs  to" 
^Fsuch  vial  importance;  and  immediately  proceeded    o 
unfold  himself  fully,  and  to  suggest  '^e  course,  which,  he 
believed,  on  the  present  occasion,  it  behooved  them  both 
to  pursue:   pointing   out  the  ruinous  consequences  that 
might  be'ex^ected  ?o  resuUfrom  the  adoption  of  the  mea- 
sure he  had  undertaken  to  recommend,  he  continues.— 
F  2 


66  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOX. 

"  Had  your  wish,  that  I  should  discharge  a  part  of  my 
force,  and  retire  with  the  residue  into  the  settlements,  as- 
sumed the  form  of  a  positive  order,  it  might  have  fur- 
nished me  some  apology  for  pursuing  such  a  course;  but 
by  no  means  a  full  justification.  As  you  would  have  no 
power  to  give  such  an  order,  I  could  not  be  inculpable  in 
obeying,  with  my  eyes  open  to  the  fatal  consequences  that 
would  attend  it  But  a  bare  recommendation,  founded, 
as  I  am  satisfied  it  must  be,  on  the  artful  suggestions  oi 
those  fireside  patriots,  who  seek,  in  a  failure  of  the  expe- 
dition, an  excuse  for  their  own  supineness;  and  upon  the 
misrepresentations  of  the  discontented  from  the  army, 
who  wish  it  to  be  believed,  that  the  difficulties  which 
overcame  their  patriotism  are  wholly  insurmountable, 
would  afford  me  but  a  feeble  shield  against  the  reproaches 
of  my  country  or  my  conscience.  Believe  me,  my  re- 
spected friend,  the  remarks  I  make  proceed  from  the 
purest  personal  regard.  If  you  would  preserve  your  re- 
putation, or  that  of  the  state  over  which  you  preside,  you 
must  take  a  straight-forward,  determined  course;  regard- 
less of  the  applause  or  censure  of  the  populace,  and  of  the 
forebodings  of  that  dastardly  and  designing  crew,  who,  at 
a  time  like  this,  may  be  expected  to  clamour  continually 
in  your  ears.  The  very  wretches  who  now  beset  you  with 
evil  counsel,  will  be  the  first,  should  the  measures  which 
they  recommeiid  eventuate  in  disaster,  to  call  down  impre- 
cations on  your  head,  and  load  you  with  reproaches. 
Your  country  is  in  danger: — appjy  its  resources  to  its  de- 
fence! Can  any  course  be  more  plain?  Do  you,  my 
friend,  at  such  a  moment  as  the  present,  sit  with  your  arms 
folded,  and  your  heart  at  ease,  waiting  a  solution  of  your 
doubts,  and  a  definition  of  your  powers?  Do  you  wait  for 
special  instructions  from  the  secretary  at  war,  \\hich  it  is 
impossible  for  you  to  receive  in  time  for  the  danger  that 
threatens?  How  did  the  venerable  Shelby  act,  under  simi- 
lar circumstances;  or  rather,  under  circumstances  by  no 
means  so  critical?  Did  he  wait  for  orders  to  do  what 
every  man  of  sense  knew — what  every  patriot  felt — to  be 
right?  He  did  not;  and  yet  how  highly  and  justly  did 
the  government  extol  his  manly  and  energetic  conduct  I 
and  how  dear  has  his  name  become  to  every  friend  of  his 
country! 

"  You  say,  that  an  order  to  bring  the  necessary  quota  of 
men  into  the  field  has  been  given,  and  that  of  course  your 


CHAPTER    IV.  67 

power  ceases;  and,  althoug;h  you  are  made  sensible  that 
the  order  has  b;;en  whoUy  negiectedv  you  can  take  no 
measure  to  remedy  the  omission.  Widely  different,  in- 
djed,  is  my  opinion.  I  consider  it  your  imperious  duty, 
when  the  men,  cafled  i'ov  by  your  authority,  founded  upon 
that  of  the  go  ernment,  are  kno.vn  not  to  be  in  the  field, 
to  see  that  they  be  brought  there;  and  to  take  immediate 
measures  with  the  officer,  who,  charged  with  the  execu- 
tion of  your  order,  o^nits  or  neglects  to  do  it.  As  the 
executive  of  tlie  state,  it  is  your  duty  to  see  that  the  full 
quota  of  troops  be  constantly  kept  in  the  fi^ld,  for  the  time 
they  have  been  reVjuired.  You  are  responsible  to  the  go- 
vernment; your  officer  to  you.  Of  what  avail  is  it  to  give 
an  order,  if  it  be  never  executed,  and  may  be  disobeyed 
with  impunity?  Is  it  by  empty  mandates  that  we  can 
hope  to  conquer  our  enemies,  and  save  our  defenceless 
frontiers  fom  bitchery  and  devastation?  Believe  me, 
my  valued  friend,  there  are  times  when  it  is'highly  crimi- 
nal to  shrink  from  responsibility,  or  scruple  about  the 
exercise  of  our  powers.  Theie  are  times  when  we  must 
disregard  punctilious  etiquette,  and  think  only  of  serving 
our  country.  What  is  really  our  presenc  situation?  The 
enemy  we  have  been  sent  to  subdue,  may  be  said,  if  we 
stop  at  this,  to  be  only  exasperated.  The  commander  in 
chief,  General  Pinckney,  who  supposes  me  by  this  time, 
prepared  for  renewed  operations,  has  ordered  me  to  ad- 
vance, and  form  a  junction  with  the  Georgia  army;  and, 
upon  the  expectation  that  I  will  do  so,  are  all  his  arrange- 
ments formed  for  the  prosecution  of  the  campaign.  Will 
it  do  to  defeat  his  plans,  and  jeopardize  the  safety  of  the 
Georgia  army?  The  general  government,  too,  believe, 
and  have  a  right  to  believe,  that  we  have  now  not  less 
than  five  thousand  men  in  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  country; 
and  on  this  opinion  are  all  their  calculations  bottomed; 
and  must  they  all  be  frustrated,  and  I  become  the  instru- 
ment by  which  it  is  done?  God  forbid! 
•■  "  You  advise  me  to  discharge  or  dismiss  ftom  service, 
until  the  will  of  the  president  can  be  known,  such  portion 
of  the  militia  as  have  rendered  three  months'  service. 
This  advice  astonishes  me  even  more  than  the  former.  I 
have  no  such  discretionary  power;  and  if  I  had,  it  would 
be  impolitic  and  ruinous  to  exercise  it.  I  believed,  the 
militia  who  were  not  specially  received  for  a  shorter  pe- 
riod, were  engaged  for  six  months,  unless  the  objects  of 


63  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

the  expedition  should  be  sooner  attained;  and  in  this  opi- 
nion 1  was  greatly  strengthened  by  your  letter  of  the  I5th, 
in  which  you  say,  when  answering  my  inquiry  upon  this 
subject,  "  the  militia  are  detached  for  six  months'  service;'* 
nor  did  I  know,  or  suppose,  you  had  a' different  opinion, 
until  the  arrival  of  your  last  letter.  I  have  laboured  hard 
to  reconcile  these  men  to  a  continuance  in  service  until 
they  could  be  honourably  discharged,  and  had  hoped  I 
had,  in  a  great  measure,  succeeded;  but  your  opinion,  ope- 
rating with  their  own  prejudices,  will  give  a  sanction  to 
their  conduct,  and  render  useless  any  further  attempts. 
They  will  go;  but  I  can  neither  discharge  nor  dismiss 
them.  Shall  I  be  told,  that  as  they  will  go,  it  may  as  well 
be  peaceably  permitted;  can  that  be  any  good  reason  why 
I  should  do  an  unauthorized  act?  Is  it  a  good  reason  why 
I  should  violate  the  order  of  my  superior  ofHcer,  and 
evince  a  willingness  to  defeat  the  purposes  of  my  govern- 
ment.'' And  wherein  does  the  'sound  policy'  of  the  mea- 
sures that  have  been  recommended  consist?  or  in  vt^hat 
way  are  they  Mikely  to  promote  the  public  good?'  Is  it 
sound  policy  to  abandon  a  conquest  thus  far  made,  and  de- 
liver up  to  havoc,  or  add  to  the  number  of  our  enemies, 
those  friendly  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  who,  relying  on  our 
protection,  have  e'spoused  our  cause,  and  aided  us  with 
their  arms?  Is  it  good  policy  to  turn  loose  on  our  de- 
fenceless frontiers,  five  thousand  exasperated  savages,  to 
reek  their  hands  once  more  in  the  blood  of  our  citizens  ? 
Whatl  retrograde  under  such  circumstances!  I  will  perish 
first-  No,  I  will  do  my  duty:  I  will  hold  the  posts  I  have 
established,  until  ordered  to  abandon  them  by  the  com- 
manding general,  or  die  in  the  struggle; — long  since  have 
I  determined  not  to  seek  the  preservation  of  life  at  the  sa- 
crifice of  reputation. 

"But  our  frontiers,  it  seems,  are  to  be  defended,  and 
by  whom?  By  the  very  force  that  i^  now  recommended 
to  be  dismissed:  for  I  am  first  told  to  retire  into  the  settle- 
ments and  protect  the  frontiers;,  next  to  discharge  my 
troops;  and  then,  that  no  measures  can  be  taken  for  rais- 
ing others.  No,  my  friend,  if  troops  be  given  me,  it  is 
not  by  loitering  on  the  frontiers  that  I  will  seek  to  give 
protection; — they  are  to  be  defended,  if  defended  at  all,  in 
a  very  different  manner;  by  carrying  the  war  into  the 
heart  of  the  enemy's  country.  All  other  hopes  of  defence 
are  more  visionary  than  dreams.     What  then  is  to  be 


CHAPTER    lY.  69 

done?  I'll  tell  you  what.  You  have  only  to  act  with  the 
energy  and  decision  the  crisis  demands,  and  all  will  be 
well.  Send  me  a  force  engaged  fur  six  months,  and  I  will 
answer  for  the  result, — but  withhold  it,  and  all  is  lost, — 
the  reputation  of  the  state,  and  your's,  and  mine  along 
with  it." 

This  letter  had  considerable  effect  with  the  governor. 
On  receiving  it,  he  immediately  det;irmined  on  a  course  of 
greater  efficiency,  and  ordered  from  the  second  division 
twenty-five  hundred  of  the  militia,  for  a  tour  of  three 
months,  to  rendezvous  at  Fayette ^iile  on  the  28th  of  Janu- 
ary. The  command  was  gi  en  to  Brigadier-General 
Johnston,  with  orders  to  proceed  without  delay,  by  de- 
tachments or  otherwise,  to  Fort  Strother.  He  instructed 
General  Cocke  to  execat-e  .he  order  he  had  received  from 
Jackson,  for  raising  froai  his  di-ision  his  required  quota 
of  troops,  and  to  bi-ing  them  to  the  field  as  early  as  possi- 
ble. '     - 

These  measures  v/ere  taken  by  the  governor  in  opposi- 
tion to  his  first  views  of  their  impropriety — without  any 
special  directions  f..-dm  the  government.  If  any  doubts, 
however,  remained  of  the  correctness  of  the  course  adopted, 
they  were  soon  after  dispelled  by  a  letter  from  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  stating  that  he  was  "authorized  to  supply,  by 
militia  drafts  or  volunteers,  any  deficiency  that  might 
arise,  and  without  referring  on  that  head  to  the  depart- 
ment of  war." 

The  day  had  arrived,  when  that  portion  of  the  militia 
which  had  continued  in  service,  claimed  to  be  discharged; 
and  insisted,  that  whether  this  were  given  to  them  or  not, 
they  would  abd,ndon  the  campaign  and  return  home.  Jack- 
son believed  them  not  entitled  to  it,  and  hence,  that  he 
had  no  right  to  give  it;  but  since  Governor  Blount  had 
said  differently,  and  his  opinion,  as  was  requested,  had 
been  promulgated,  he  f:lt  it  to  be  improper  that  he  should 
atteaipt  any  exercise  of  authority  to  detain  them.  Never- 
theless, believing  it  to  be  his  duty  to  keep  them,  he  issued 
a  general  order,  commanding  all  persons  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  under  his  command,  not  to  leave  the 
encampment  without  his  written  permission,  under  the 
penalties  annexe  1  by  the  rules  and  articles  of  war,  to  the 
crime  of  desertion.  This  was  accompanied  by  an  address, 
in  which  they  weri  ex.horted,  by  all  those  motives  which 
he  supposed  would  be  most  likely  to  have  any  influence. 


70  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

to  remain  at  their  posts  until  they  could  be  legally  dis- 
charged. Neither  the  order  nor  the  address  availed  any 
thing.  On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  January,  the  officer 
of  the  day  reported,  that  on  visiting  his  guard,  half  after 
ten  o'clock,  he  found  neither  the  officer,  (Lieutenant 
Kearley,)  nor  any  of  the  sentinels  at  their  posts.  Upon 
this  information,  General  Jackson  ordered  the  arrest  of 
Kearley,  who  refused  to  surrender  his  sword,  alleging  it 
should  protect  him  to  Tennessee;  that  he  was  a  freeman, 
and  not  subject  to  the  orders  of  General  Jackson,  or  any 
body  else.  This  being  made  known  to  the  General,  he  is- 
sued, immediately,  this  order  to  the  adjutant-general: 
"You  will  forthwith  cause  the  guards  to  parade,  with 
Captain  Gordon's  company  of  spies,  and  arrest  Lieutenant 
Kearley;  and,  in  case  you  shall  be  resisted  in  the  execu- 
tion of  this  order,  you  are  commanded  to  oppose  force  to 
force,  and  arrest  him  at  all  hazards.  Spare  the  effusion 
of  blood,  if  possible;  but  mutiny  must,  and  shall  be  put 
down."  Colonel  Sitler,  with  the  guards  and  Gordon's 
company,  immediatly  proceeded  in  search,  and  found  him 
at  the  head  of  his  company,  on  the  lines,  which  were 
formed,  and  about  to  be  miarched  off.  He  was  ordered 
to  halt,  but  refused.  The  adjutant-general,  finding  it  ne- 
cessary, directed  the  guards  to  stop  him;  and  again  de- 
manded his  sword,  which  he  again  refused  to  deliver. 
The  guards  were  commanded  to  fire  on  him  if  he  did  not 
immediately  deliver  it,  and  had  already  cocked  their  guns. 
At  this  order,  the  lieutenant  cocked  his,  and  his  men  fol- 
lowed the  example.  General  Jackson,  informed  of  what 
was  passing,  had  hastened  to  the  scene,  and  arriving  at 
this  moment,  personally  demanded  of  Kearley  his  sword, 
which  he  still  obstinately  refused.  Incensed  at  his  con- 
duct, and  viewing  the  example  as  too  dangerous  to  be 
passed  in  silence,  he  snatched  a  pistol  from  his  holster, 
and  was  already  levelling  it  at  the  breast  of  Kearley,  when 
the  adjutant-general  interposing  between  them,  urged  him 
to  surrender  his  sword.  At  this  moment,  a  friend  of  the 
lieutenant,  who  was  present,  drew  it  from  the  scabbard, 
and  presented  it  to  Colonel  Sitler,  who  refused  to  receive 
it.  It  was  then  returned  to  Kearley,  who  now  delivered  it, 
and  was  placed  under  guard.  During  this  crisis,  both 
parties  remained  with  their  arms  ready,  and  prepared  for 
firing;  and  a  scene  of  bloodshed  was  narrowly  escaped. 
Kearley  being  confined,  and  placed  under  guard,   be- 


CHAPTER  IV.  71 

came  exceedingly  penitent,  and  earnestly  supplicated  the 
General  for  a  pardon.     He  stated  that  the  absence  of  the 
guards  and  sentinels  from  their  post  had  been  owing  to 
the  recommendation  and  advice  of  the  brigade-major;  that 
his  not  delivering  his  sword,  when  it  was  first  demanded, 
was  attributable  to  the  influence  and  arguments  of  others, 
who  had  persuaded  him  it  was  not  his  duty  ta  do  so;  that 
he  had  afterwards  come  to  the  determination  to  surrender 
himself,  but  was  dissuaded  by  those  who  assured  him  it 
would  be  a  sacrifice  of  character,  and  that  they  would 
share  in  his  disobedience  and  protect  him  in  the  hour  of 
danger;  why  he  still  resisted,  in  the  presence  of  the  Gene- 
ral, was,  that  being  at  the  head  of  his  company,  and  hav- 
ing undertaken  to  carry  them  home,  he  was  restrained,  at 
the  moment,  by  a  false  idea  of  honour.     This  application 
"was  aided  by  certificates  of  several  of  the  most  respectable 
officers  then  in   camp,   attesting  his    previously  uniform 
good  behaviour,  and  expressing  a  belief  that  his  late  mis- 
conduct was  wholly  to  be  attributed  to  the  interference  of 
others.     Influenced  by  these  reasons,  but  particularly  by 
an  apprehension  of  the  seductions  which  he  believed  had 
been  practised  upon  him,  by  older  and  more  experienced 
officers  in  his  regiment,   the  General  thought  proper  to 
order  his  liberation  from  arrest,  and  his  sword  to  be  re- 
stored to  him.     Never  was  a  man  more  sensible  of  the  fa- 
vour he  had  received,  or  more  devoted  to  his  benefactor, 
than  he  afterwards  became. 

While  .these  proceedings  were  taking  place,  the  rest  of 
the  brigade,  with  the  exception  of  Captain  Willis's  com- 
pany, and  twenty-nine  of  his  men,  continued  their  march 
towards  home,  leaving  behind,  for  the  further  prosecution 
of  the  campaign,  and  the  defence  of  Fort  Strother,  a  single 
regiment  of  militia,  whose  term  of  service  was  within  a 
few  weeks  of  expiring;  two  small  companies  of  spies,  and 
one  of  artillery.  As  this  regiment  had  often  professed  a 
desire  to  be  led  against  the  enemy,  and  to  contend  in  bat- 
tle, before  they  quitted  the  service,  Jackson  flattered  him- 
self with  the  hope,  that  they  would,  for  this  purpose,  wil- 
lingly remain  in  the  field  a  few  days  beyond  the  period  of 
their  engagements.  On  the  next  day,  therefore,  with  a 
view  to  test  their  patriotism  and  to  detain  them  if  possi- 
ble, he  caused  to  be  read  to  that  regiment  the  following 
address. 

"Your  general,  having  reported  that  your  term  of  ser- 


72  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

vice  will  expire  on  the  14th,  I  assume  no  claim  on  you 
beyond  that  period.  But,  althou.i^h  I  ciii  not  demand  as  a 
right,  the  continuance  of  your  senicts,  I  do  not  despair 
of  being  able  to  obtain  them  through  your  patriotism. 
For  what  purpose  was  it  that  you  quitted  your  homes, 
and  penetrated  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  country?  Was 
it  to  avenge  the  blood  of  your  fellow  ciiii'ens,  inhumanly 
slain  by  that  enemy;  to  give  security  in  future  to  our  ex- 
tended and  unprotected  frontie!",  and  to  signalize  the  va- 
lour by  which  you  were  aniriated?  Will  any  of  these 
objects  be  attained  if  you  abandon  the  campaign  at  the 
time  you  contemplate  r  Not  one  1  Yet  an  opportunity 
shall  be  afforded  you,  if  you  desire  it.  If  you  have  been 
really  actuated  by  the  feelings,  and  goveined  by  the  mo- 
tives, which  your  commanding  general  supposes  in- 
fluenced you  to  take  up  arms,  and  enter  the  field  in  de- 
fence of  your  rights,  none  of  you  will  resist  the  appeal  he 
now  makes,  or  hesitate  to  embrace  with  eagerness,  the 
opportunity  he  is  about  to  afford  you. 

"The  enemy,  more  than  half  conquered,  yet  deriving 
encouragement  and  hope  from  the  tardiness  of  our  opera- 
tions, and  the  distractions  which  have  unhappily  prevailed 
in  our  camp,  are  again  assembling  below  us.  Another 
lesson  of  admonition  must  be  furnished  them.  They 
must  again  be  made  to  feel  the  weight  of  that  power  which 
they  have,  without  cause,  provoked  to  war;  and  to  know, 
that  although  we  have  been  slow  to  take  up  arms,  we  will 
never  lay  them  from  our  hands  until  we  have  secured  the 
objects  that  impelled  us  to  the  resort.  In  less  than  eight 
days,  I  shall  leave  this  encampment  to  meet  and  fight 
them.  Will  any  of  you  accompany  me?  Are  there  any 
amongst  you,  who,  at  a  moment  like  this,  will  not  think 
it  an  outrage  upon  honour,  for  her  feelings  to  be  tested  by 
a  computation  of  time  ?  What  if  the  period  for  which  you 
tendered  your  services  to  your  country  has  expiied — is 
that  a  consideration  with  the  valiant,  the  patriotic,  and  the 
brave,  who  have  appeared  to  redress  the  injured  rights  of 
that  country,  and  to  acquire  for  themselves  the  name  of 
glory?  Is  it  a  consideration  with  them,  when  those  ob- 
jects are  still  unattained,  and  an  opportunity  of  acquiring 
them  is  so  near  at  hand  ?  Did  such  men  enter  the  field 
like  hirelings — to  serve  for  pay?  Does  all  regard  for  their 
country,  their  families,  and  themselves,  expire  with  the 
time  for  which  their  services  were  engaged  ?     Will  it  be 


CHAPTER  IV.  73 

a  sufficient  gratification  to  their  feelings,  that  they  served 
three  months,  without  seeing  the  enemy,  and  then  aban- 
doned the  campaign  when  the  enemy  was  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, and  could  be  seen  and  conquered  in  ten  days  ?  Any 
retrospect  they  can  make  of  the  sacrifices  they  have  en- 
countered, and  the  privations  they  have  endured,  will  af- 
ford but  little  satisfaction  under  such  circumstances; — 
the  very  mention  of  the  Creek  war,  must  cover  them  with 
the  blushes  of  shame,  and  self  abasement.  Having  en- 
gaged for  only  three  months,  and  that  period  having  ex- 
pired, you  are  not  bound  to  serve  any  longer: — but  are 
you  bound  by  nothing  else  ?  Surely,  as  honourable  and 
high-minded  men,  you  must,  at  such  a  moment  as  the 
present,  feel  other  obligations  than  the  law  imposes.  A 
fear  of  the  punishment  of  the  law,  did  not  bring  you  into 
camp; — that  its  demands  are  satisfied,  will  not  take  you 
from  it.  You  had  higher  objects  in  view,— some  greater 
good  to  attain.  This  your  general  believes,— nor  can  he 
believe  otherwise,  without  doing  you  great  injustice. 

"  Your  services  are  not  asked  for  longer  than  tv/enty 
days;  and  who  will  hesitate  making  such  a  sacrifice, 
when  the  good  of  his  country  and  his  ov\^n  fame  are  at 
stake?  Who,  under  the  present  aspect  of  aflfairs,  will 
even  reckon  it  a  sacrifice  ?  When  we  set  out  to  meet  the 
enemy,  this  post  must  be  retained  and  defended;  if  any  of 
you  will  remain,  and  render  this  service,  it  v/ill  be  no  less 
important  than  if  you  had  marched  to  the  battle;  nor  will 
your  general  less  thankfully  acknowledge  it.  Tuesday 
next,  the  line  of  march  will  be  taken  up:  and  in  a  few  days 
thereafter,  the  objects  of  the  excursion  will  be  effected. 
As  patriotic  men,  then,  I  ask  you  for  your  services;  and 
thus  long,  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  cheerfully  render  them. 
I  am  well  aware,  that  you  are  all  anxious  to  return  to  your 
families  and  homes,  and  that  you  are  entitled  to  do  so ; 
yet  stay  a  little  longer, — go  v/ith  me,  and  meet  the  enemy, 
and  you  can  then  return,  not  only  with  the  consciousness 
of  having  performed  your  duty,  but  with  the  glorious 
exultation  of  having  done  even  more  than  duty  required." 

What  was  hoped  and  expected  from  this  address,  did 
not  result  Difficulties  were  constantly  pressing;  and 
whilst  one  moment  gave  birth  to  expectation,  the  next 
served  but  to  destroy  it.  Jackson  had  been  advised,  and 
was  buoyed  by  the  hope,  that  adequate  numbers  would 
shortly  come  to  his  relief;  and  until  this  could  be  accom- 

G 


74  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

plished,  it  was  desirable  to  retain  those  who  then  were 
with  him,  to  give  to  his  posts  increased  protection. 
Whilst  measures  were  adopting  in  Tennessee,  to  effect 
this  fully,  about  a  thousand  volunteers  were  moving  out, 
to  preserve  an  appearance  of  opposition,  and  keep  secure 
what  had  been  already  gained.  With  this  force,  added  to 
what  he  already  had,  if  in  his  power  to  keep  them,  he  be- 
lieved he  would  be  able  to  advance  on  the  enemy,  make  a 
diversion  in  favour  of  the  Georgia  army,  and  obtain  other 
important  advantages.  With  this  view,  he  had  addressed 
this  regiment,  and  brought  before  them  such  considera- 
tions as  might  be  supposed  calculated  to  excite  a  soldier's 
ardour.  But,  in  answer  to  his  address,  the  commanding 
officer  replied,  that  having  called  upon  the  several  officers 
in  his  regiment,  to  make  a  statement  of  those  in  their  re- 
spective companies  who  were  willing  to  remain  beyond 
the  period  of  their  engagement,  it  appeared  that  with  the 
exception  of  Captain  Hamilton  and  three  of  his  men,  none 
would  consent  to  do  so. 

Meantime,  the  volunteers,  lately  raised,  had  arrived  at 
Huntsville,  where  they  had  been  directed  to  remain  until 
sufficient  supplies  could  be  had  at  head-quarters.  Could 
they  have  proceeded  directly  on,  they  would  have  reached 
the  General  sufficiently  early  to  have  enabled  him  to  pro- 
ceed against  the  enemy  before  the  period  at  whieh  the 
remnant  of  his  troops  would  have  been  entitled  to  a  dis- 
charge. *  His  exertions  to  have  in  readiness  the  arrange- 
ments necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  end,  had 
been  indefatigable.  The  more  certainly  to  effect  his  ob- 
ject, he  had,  on  the  20th  of  December,  despatched  his  own 
quarter-master  and  adjutant-general  to  Deposit  and  Hunts- 
ville, to  push  on  what  supplies  should  be  collected  and  on 
hand  at  those  places;  and  had,  at  the  same  time,  despatch- 
ed one  of  the  sub-contractors  from  camp,  with  directions  to 
examine  the  situation  of  the  different  depots;  and,  if  found 
insufficient  to  meet  the  requisition  he  had  made,  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  the  settlements  in  Tennessee,  and 
procure  the  necessary  supplies.  To  the  contractors  them- 
selves, he  had  addressed  orders  and  exhortations  almost 
without  number;  and,  indeed,  from  every  source,  and 
through  every  channel  that  the  hope  of  relief  could  be  dis- 
cerned, had  he  directed  his  exertions  to  obtain  it. 

Having  thus  strained  every  nerve,  and  unceasingly  di- 
rected all  his  efforts  towards  the  accomplishment  of  this 


CHAPTER  IV.  75 

object,  he  had,  for  awhile,  flattered  himself  with  the  hope 
that  his  multiplied  endeavours  would  enable  him  to  bring; 
on  his  new  troops  in  time  for  that  combined  movement 
with  the  East  Tennessee  militia  v>hich  he  so  much  desir- 
ed. So  important  did  he  consider  this  measure,  that  he 
was  willing  to  subject  himself  to  considerable  hazard,  ra- 
than  not  effect  it  To  Colonel  Carroll  he  wrote,  on  learn- 
ing that  he  was  on  his  way  with  the  newly  raised  troops — 
"  I  am  happy  to  hear  of  your  success  in  procuring  volun- 
teers. I  shall  receive,  with  open  arms,  those  who,  in  this 
hour  of  need,  so  gallantly  come  forth  to  uphold  the  sink- 
ing reputation  of  their  state.  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to 
re-commence  operations,  and  indeed  they  have  become 
more  necessary  than  ever;  yet  I  cannot  move  without  sup- 
plies. As  this  will  meet  you  near  where  the  contractors 
are,  you  will  be  better  able  to  ascertain  than  I  can  inform 
you,  when  that  happy  moment  will  arrive  :  and  I  pray  you, 
use  your  best  exertions  to  have  it  brought  about  with  the 
least  possible  delay.  Until  supplies,  and  the  means  of 
transportation  can  be  furnished,  to  justify  another  move- 
ment from  this  place,  it  will  be  better  that  you  remain 
where  your  horses  can  be  fed.  I  say  this,  upon  the  sup- 
position and  hope,  that  it  may  shortly  be  effected ;  but 
were  it  certain  that  the  same  causes  of  delay  which  have 
so  long  retarded  our  operations,  were  still  to  continue,  I 
would,  at  every  risk,  and  under  every  responsibility,  take 
up  the  march  so  soon  as  the  troops  now  with  you  could 
arrive.  For  such  a  measure,  I  should  seek  my  justifica- 
tion in  the  imperiousness  of  the  circumstances  by  which  I 
am  surrounded;  and  rely  for  success  upon  heaven,  and 
the  enterprise  of  my  followers. 

"  Partial  supplies  have  arrived,  for  my  use,  at  Fort 
Armstrong,  which  will  be  ordered  on  to-morrow.  This, 
with  the  scanty  stock  on  hand,  will  at  least  keep  us  from 
starving  a  few  weeks,  until  we  can  quarter  upon  the  ene- 
my, or  gain  assistance  from  the  country  below.  General 
Claiborne,  who  is  encamped  eighty-five  miles  above  Fort 
Stoddart,  writes  me,  that  arrangements  are  made  to  send 
supplies  up  the  Alabama,  to  the  junction  of  the  Coosa 
and  Tallapoosa.  Upon  such  resources  will  I  depend, 
sooner  than  wait  until  my  army  wastes  away,  or  through 
inaction  becomes  mutinous  and  unfit  for  service." 

The  hopes,  however,  which  had  been  cherished,  of  com- 
bined operations,  with  all  the  forces  at  that  time  under  his 


76  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOV. 

control,  he  was  compelled,  by  the  late  events  in  the  camp, 
to  relinquish;  but  although  these  were  highly  discourag- 
ing, they  were  far  from  inducing  him  to  despond.  He  was 
strongly  persuaded  of  the  necessity  of  proceeding;  and  de- 
termined, that  as  soon  as  it  were  possible,  he  would  prose- 
cute the  campaign  with  the  feeble  force  he  had  at  his 
command,  deferring  the  period  for  more  active  operations, 
until  the  expected  reinforcements,  collecting  in  Tennes- 
see, could  be  brought  into  the  field.* 

On  the  second  of  January,  Colonel  Carroll  and  Mr. 
Blackburn,  having  proceeded  from  Huntsville,  arrived  at 
head-quarters,  to  receive  instructions  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  the  volunteers  should  be  organized ;  and  to  learn 
the  time  when  they  would  be  required  to  be  brought  up. 
Having  reported  their  strength  to  be  eight  hundred  and 
fifty,  they  were  directed  to  have  them  formed,  as  had  been 
desired,  into  two  regiments,  under  officers  of  their  own 
choice;  and  an  order  was  put  into  their  hands,  requiring 
General  Coffee,  who  was  then  at  Huntsville,  to  march 
them  to  Fort  Strother,  by  the  10th  instant.  Their  arrival, 
however,  was  not  effected  until  the  13th. 

Every  preparation  was  now  made  to  hasten  an  accom- 
plishment of  the  objects  in  view.  The  Avhole  effective 
force  consisted,  at  tliis  time^  by  the  reports,  of  little  more 
than  nine  hundred  men,  and  was,  in  reality,  below  that 
number. 

Being  addressed  by  the  General,  on  the  occasion,  on  the 
15th,  the  mounted  troops  commenced  their  march,  and 
moved  to  Wehogee  creek,  three  miles  from  the  fort.  Jack- 
son, with  his  staff,  and  the  artillery  company,  joined  them 
next  morning  at  that  place,  and  continued  the  line  of 
march  to  Talladega,  where  about  two  hundred  friendly  In- 
dians, badly  armed,  and  much  discouraged  at  the  weak- 

•  There  was  no  law,  either  of  the  state  or  general  government,  for  a 
period  so  limited  as  sixty  days,  which  was  the  tender  made  by  those 
volunteers.  The  General  was  in  doubt,  therefore,  whether  or  not  to 
receive  them;  but,  believing  he  might  make  a  partiiJ  excursion,  and 
thei-eby  produce  a  diversion  favourable  to  the  Geoigia  troops,  who, 
relying  on  liis  co-operation,  might  be  perhaps  greatly  endangered  with- 
out it;  and  considering  that  their  rejection  might  tend  to  the  injury  of 
the  campaign,  lie  finally  concluded  to  accept  them.  Previously  to 
doing  so,  he  stjited  his  objections,  and  the  difficulties  he  felt;  and  en- 
deavoured to  preva'.l  on  them  to  enlarge  their  term  of  service:  to  this 
they  v/ould  not  agree;  when,  rather  than  lose  them  entirely,  he  con- 
sented to  receive  them. 


CHAPTER  IV.  77 

ness  of  his  force,  were  added  to  his  numbers,  without  in- 
creasing much  his  strength.  Seldom,  perhaps,  has  there 
been  an  expedition  undertaken,  fraught  with  greater  peril 
than  this.  Nine  hundred  new  recruits,  entirely  unac- 
quainted with  the  duties  of  the  field,  were  to  be  marched 
into  the  heart  of  an  enemy's  country,  without  a  hope  of 
escape,  but  from  victory,  and  that  victory  not  to  be  ex- 
pected, but  from  the  wisest  precaution,  and  most  deter- 
mined bravery.  Although  so  obviously  pregnant  with 
danger,  to  march  was  the  only  alternative  that  could  be 
prudently  adopted.  No  other  could  afford  a  diversion 
favourable  to  General  Floyd,  who  was  advancing  with  the 
army  from  Georgia,  or  give  favourable  results  to  the  cam- 
paign, without  which  it  must  soon  have  been  abandoned, 
for  want  of  men  to  prosecute  it.  Another  reason  rendered 
such  a  movement  proper,  and  indispensable.  The  officer 
commanding  at  Fort  Armstrong  had  received  intelligence, 
on  v/hich  was  placed  the  utmost  reliance,  that  the  v/arriors 
from  fourteen  or  fifteen  towns  on  the  Tallapoosa,  were 
about  to  unite  their  forces,  and  attack  that  place;  which 
was  in  a  weak  and  defenceless  situation.  Of  this.  Gene- 
ral Jackson  had  been  advised.  The  present  movement 
then,  hazardous  as  it  was,  under  all  circumstances,  was 
indispensable,  and  could  alone  prevent  the  execution  of 
such  a  purpose,  if  it  were  in  truth  intended.  On  reaching 
Talladega,  he  received  a  letter  from  the  commandant  at 
Fort  Armstrong,  confirmatory  of  the  first  information  that 
had  been  obtained,  and  which  left  it  no  longer  a  matter  of 
doubt  but  an  attack  would  be  speedily  waged  against  that 
depot.  One  also  from  General  Pinckney,  by  express,  ar- 
rived, advising  him  that  Floyd,  on  the  10th  instant,  would 
move  from  Coweta,  and  in  ten  days  thereafter,  establish  a 
position  at  Tuckabatchee;  and  recommended,  if  his  force 
would  allow  him  to  do  no  more,  that  he  should  advance 
against  such  of  the  enemy's  towns  as  might  be  within  con- 
venient distance;  that,  by  having  his  troops  employed,  he 
might  keep  disaffection  from  his  ranks,  and  be,  at  the 
same  time,  serviceably  engaged  in  harassing  the  ene- 
my. If,  therefore,  he  could  have  hesitated  before,  there 
was  no  longer  any  room  to  do  so.  By  an  expeditious 
movement,  he  might  save  Fort  Armstrong,  and  render  an 
essential  service  to  General  Floyd,  by  detaching  a  part  of 
the  clans  destined  to  proceed  against  him.  The  force 
which  might  act  against  either,  was  understood  to  be  then 

G  2 


78  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

collected  in  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  near  the  mouth  of 
a  creek  called  Emuckfaw,  and  thither  he  determined,  by 
the  nearest  route,  to  direct  his  course. 

As  he  progressed  on  the  march,  a  wan^^^  of  the  necessary 
knowledge  in  his  pilots,  of  subordination  in  his  troops,  and 
skill  in  the  officers  who  commanded  them,  became  more 
and  more  apparent;  but  still  their  ardour  to  meet  the  ene-^ 
my  was  not  abated.  Troops  unacquainted  with  service 
are  oftentimes  more  sanguine  than  veterans.  The  imagi- 
nation too  frequently  portraying  battles  in  the  light  of  a 
frolic,  keeps  danger  at  a  distance,  until,  suddenly  spring- 
ing into  view,  it  becomes  a  nmonster  too  hideous  to  be 
withstood. 

On  the  evening  of  the  21st,  sensible,  from  the  trails 
fallen  in  upon,  fresh,  and  converging  to  a  point,  that  he 
must  be  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  enemy,  Jackson  en- 
camped his  little  army  in  a  hollow  square,  on  a  eligible 
site,  upon  the  eminences  of  Emuckfaw,  sent  out  his  spies, 
posted  his  piquets,  doubled  his  sentinels,  and  made  the  ne- 
cessary arrangements  to  guard  against  attack.  About 
midnight  the  spies  came  in  and  reported  they  had  disco- 
vered a  large  encampment  of  Indians,  at  about  three  miles 
distance,  who,  from, their  whooping  and  dancing,  their 
usual  precursors  to  battle,  were  no  doubt  apprised  of  his 
arrival.  Every  thing  was  ready  for  their  reception,  if  they 
meditated  an  attack,  or  to  pursue  in  the  morning,  if  they 
did  not.  At  the  dawn  of  day,  the  alarm  guns  of  our  sen- 
tinels, succeeded  by  shrieks  and  savage  yells,  announced 
their  presence.  They  commenced  a  furious  assault  on  the 
left  flank,  commanded  by  Colonel  Higgins,  which  was  met 
and  opposed  with  great  firmness.  General  Coffee  and 
Colonels  Carroll  and  Sitler,  instantly  repaired  to  the  point 
of  attack,  and,  by  example  and  exhortation,  encouraged 
the  men  to  a  performance  of  their  duty.  The  action  raged 
for  half  an  hour;  the  brunt  of  which  being  against  the  left 
wing,  it  had  become  considerably  weakened.  It  being 
now  sufficiently  light  to  ascertain,  correctly,  the  position 
of  the  enemy,  and  Captain  Ferril's  company  having  come 
up  and  reinforced  the  left  wing,  the  whole  charged  under 
General  Coffi^e,  and  a  rout  immediately  ensued.  The 
friendly  Indians  joining  in  the  pursuit,  they  were  chased 
about  two  miles,  with  considerable  loss.  We  had  five 
killed,  and  twenty  wounded.     Until  it  became  light  enough 


CHAPTER    IV.  79 

to  discern  objects,  our  troops  derived  considerable  advan- 
tage from  their  camp  fires;  thise  ha  iag  been  placed  at 
some  distance  without  the  line  of  the  encampment,  aftbrd- 
ed  a  decided  superiority  in  a  night  attack,  by  enabling 
those  within  to  fire  with  great  accuracy  on  an  approach- 
ing enemy,  whilst  they  themselves  remained  invisible  in 
the  dark. 

The  pursuit  being  over,  Jackson  detached  General  Cof- 
fee, with  the  Indians,  and  four  hundred  men,  to  destroy 
the  enemy's  encampment,  unless  he  shoald  find  it  too 
strongly  fortified;  in  which  event,  he  was  to  give  informa- 
tion immediately,  and  wait  the  arrival  of  the  artillery. 
Cofi*ee,  having  reconnoitred  this  position,  and  found  it 
too  strong  to  be  assailed  with  the  force  he  commanded, 
returned  to  camp.  The  propriety  of  this  determination 
was  soon  perceived.  He  had  not  returned  more  than  half 
an  hour,  when  a  severe  fire  was  made  upon  the  piquets, 
posted  on  the  right,  accompanied  with  prodigious  yelling. 
General  Coffee,  having  obtained  permission,  proceeded  to 
turn  the  left  flank  of  the  assailants.  This  detachment  be- 
ing taken  from  different  corps,  he  placed  himself  at  their 
head,  and  moved  briskly  forward.  Those  in  the  rear, 
availing  themselves  of  this  circumstance,  continued  to  drop 
off,  one  by  one,  without  his  knowledge,  until  the  whole 
number  left  with  him  did  not  exceed  fifcy.  It  was  fortunate 
that  the  force  of  the  enemy  he  had  first  to  attack  was  not 
greater.  He  found  them  occupying  a  ridge  of  open  pine 
timber,  covered  with  low  underwood,  which  afforded  them 
many  opportunities  for  concealment.  To  deprive  them  of 
this  advantage,  which  they  are  very  dexterous  in  taking. 
Coffee  ordered  his  men  to  dismount  and  charge  them. 
This  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  some  loss  sustained 
in  its  execution;  the  general  himself  was  wounded,  and 
his  aid.  Major  Donelson  killed; — three  of  his  men  also 
fell.  The  enemy,  driven  back  by  the  charge,  took  refuge 
on  the  margin  of  a  creek,  covered  with  reeds,  where  they 
lay  concealed. 

The  savages  having  intended  the  attack  on  the  right  as 
a  feint,  now,  with  their  main  force,  which  had  been  con- 
cealed, made  a  violent  onset  on  our  left  line,  which  they 
hoped  to  find  weakened,  and  in  disorder.  General  Jack- 
son, however,  who  had  apprehended  their  design,  was  pre- 
pared to  meet  it:   this  line  had  been  ordered  to  remain 


80  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

firm  in  its  position;  and  when  the  first  g-un  was  heard  in 
that  quarter,  he  repaired  thither  in  person,  and  strength- 
ened it  by  additional  forces.  The  first  advance  of  the 
enemy,  though  sudden  and  violent,  was  sustained  with 
firmness,  and  opposed  with  great  gallantry.  The  battle 
was  now  maintained  on  the  part  of  the  assailants,  by  quick 
and  irregular  firing,  from  behind  logs,  trees,  shrubbery, 
and  whatever  could  afford  concealment:  behind  these, 
prostrating  themselves  after  firing,  and,  reloading,  they 
would  rise  and  again  discharge  their  guns.  After  sus- 
taining their  fire  in  this  way  for  some  time,  a  charge,  to 
dislodge  them  from  their  position,  was  ordered  :  and  the 
whole  line  under  Colonel  Carroll,  by  a  most  brilliant  and 
steady  movement,  broke  upon,  and  threw  them  into  con- 
fusion, and  they  fled  precipitately  away.  The  pursuit 
commenced,  and  they  were  overtaken  and  destroyed  in 
considerable  numbers :  their  loss  was  great,  but  never  cer- 
tainly ascertained. 

In  the  mean  time,  Gene^'al  Coffee  had  been  endeavouring, 
as  far  as  prudence  would  permit,  to  drive  the  savages  on 
the  right  from  the  fastnesses  into  which  they  had  retired; 
but  finding  that  this  could  not  be  done,  without  much  ha- 
zard, and  considerable  loss,  he  began  to  retire  towards 
the  place  where  he  had  first  dismounted.  This  expedient, 
designed  for  stratagem,  produced  the  desired  effect. 
The  enemy,  inspirited  by  the  movement,  presuming  it  a 
retreat,  and  to  have  been  adopted  in  consequence  of  the 
severe  firing  they  had  heard  on  the  left  wing,  now  forsook 
their  hiding  places,  and  rapidly  advanced  upon  him. 
That  officer  immediately  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity 
thus  afforded,  of  contending  with  them  again  on  eqi'.;.l 
terms;  and  a  severe  conflict  commenced,  and  continued 
about  an  hour,  in  which  the  loss  on  both  sides  was  nearly 
equal.  At  this  critical  juncture,  when  several  of  the  de- 
tachment had  been  killed,  many  wounded,  and  the  whole 
ereatly  exhausted  with  fatigue;  a  reinforcement  despatched 
by  General  Jackson,  making  its  appearance  on  the  enemy's 
left  flank,  put  an  end  to  the  contest.  General  Coffee,  al- 
though severely  wounded,  still  continued  the  fight,  and 
availing  himself  cf  the  arrival  of  this  additional  strength, 
instantly  ordered  a  charge;  when  the  enemy,  foreseeing 
their  doom,  fled  in  consternation,  and  were  pursued  v.ith 
dreadful  slaughter.     It  is  believed  that  at  this  place  none 


CHAPTER    IV.  81 

escaped.     Thus  drew  to  a  close,  a  day  of  almost  continual 
fighting.* 

Having  buried  the  dead^  and  dressed  the  wounded,  pre- 
parations were  made  to  guard  against  an  attack  at  night, 
should  one  be  attempted,  by  ordering  a  breast-work  of 
timber  around  the  encampment;  a  measure  the  more  ne- 
cessary, as  the  spirits  of  our  troops,  m^st  of  v\hom  had 
never  before  been  in  collision  with  an  enemy,  were  ob- 
served visibly  to  flag,  towards  the  evening.  Indeed,  du- 
ring the  night,  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  the  senti- 
nels could  be  retained  at  their  posts,  who,  expecdng  every 
minute  the  appearance  of  the  enemy,  would,  at  the  least 
noise,  fire,  and  run  in.  The  enemy,  however,  whose  spies 
were  around  our  encampment  all  night,  did  not  think  pro- 
per to  attack  us  in  this  position,  and  the  morning  broke 
without  disturbance.  The  next  dav,  General  Jackson, 
having  effected,  as  he  believed,  so  far  as  he  could,  the 
main  objects  of  the  expedition,  a  diversion  in  favour  of 
General  Floyd,  who  was,  at  this  juncture,  supposed  to  be 
carrying  on  his  operations  lower  down  on  the  Tallapoosa, 
and  the  relief  of  Fort  Armstrong,  began  to  think  of  return- 
ing to  the  Ten  Islands.  Many  reasons  concurred  to  ren- 
der such  a  measure  proper,  and  indeed  indispensable.  He 
had  not  set  out  prepared  to  make  any  permanent  establish- 
ment in  advance  of  this  present  post;  his  provisions  were 
growing  extremely  scarce,  and  the  country  iiself  uffji  ded 
no  means  of  subsistence,  either  for  his  men  or  their  horses. 
His  wounded,  many  of  whom  were  exceedingly  dangerous, 
required  to  be  speedily  taken  care  of;  whilst  the  present 
temper  of  his  soldiery  precluded  all  hope  that  he  should  be 
able  to  effect  any  thing  of  material  consequence,  beyond 
what  had  been  already  accomplished.  Besides,  if  the  ob- 
ject were  still  further  to  cripple  the  enemy,  this,  by  com- 
mencing a  return,  which,  ha .  ing  the  appearance  of  re- 
treat, would  probably  induce  a  pursuit,  might  be  more 
certainly  attained,  than  by  attacking  them  in  their  strong 
holds;    in  which  event,  too,    the  diversion  contemplated 

*  The  Indians  had  designed  to  bring  on  the  attac':  from  three  dif- 
ferent points  at  the  same  time;  but  a  ji^Tty  of  th^  Cseak^grcius,  one  of 
the  tribes  which  compose  the  Creek  conf^dcrucv,  who  n«d  bten  or- 
dered to  assail  the  rigat  extrem  ty  of  our  f  ont  line,  ms'ead  cf  doing 
so,  thought  it  more  prudent  to  pioceed  to  their  villag.s,  h  ppy  to  huve 
passed,  undiscovered,  the  point  thty  had  bL-m  cidtred  to  utti-ck. 
But  for  this,  the  contest  might  have  terminated  kss  udvun::ugv;ou.4y. 


82  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

would  be  the  more  complete,  by  drawing  them  in  a  differ- 
ent direction.  Determined  by  these  considerations,  Jack- 
son ordered  litters  to  be  formed  for  the  transportation  of 
the  sick  and  wounded,  and  other  necessary  preparations  to 
be  made  for  a  return  march.  Every  thing  being  ready, 
it  was  commenced  at  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and 
continued,  without  interruption  until  nearly  the  close  of 
the  evening,  when  the  army  was  encamped  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  on  the  south  side  of  Enotichopco  creek,  in  a  direction 
to  the  ford,  at  which  it  had  been  passed  in  proceeding  out 

As  it  was   pretty  evident   that  the  enemy  had  been  in 
pursuit  during  the  day,  a  breast-work  was  thrown  up,  with 
the  utmost  expedition,  and  every  arrangement  made  to  re- 
pel their  attempts,  should  they  meditate  an  attack,  during 
the  course  of  the  night,  or  on  the  succeeding  morning. 
The  night,  however,  was  permitted  to  pass  away  without  dis- 
turbance, and  without  any  appearance  of  an  enemy.  From  a 
knowledge  that  they  had  been  hanging  on  his  rear  during  the 
march  of  the  preceding  day,  and  having  suffered  the  night  to 
"wear  through  without  attempting  any  assault  upon  his  camp, 
the  General  was  led  to  conjecture  that  an  ambuscade  had 
been  prepared,  and  that  an  attack  would  be  made  on  him 
•whilst  crossing  the  creek  in  his  front;  which,  being  deep, 
and  the  banks  rugg&d,  and  thickly  covered  with  reeds,  af- 
forded  many  advantages  for  such  a  design.     Near  the 
crossing  place,  was  a  deep  ravine,  formed  by  the  projec- 
tion of  two  hills,   overgrown  with  thick  shrubbery  and 
brown  sedge,  which  afforded  every  convenience  for  con- 
cealment, whilst  it  entirely  prevented  pursuit.     Along  this 
route,  the  army,  in  going  out,  had  passed;  through  it,  as 
might  have  been  expected,  it  would  again  return;  and  at 
this  defile,  it  was  believed,  an  ambuscade  would  be  formed, 
if  any  where  intended.     Acting  under  these  impressions, 
and  with  a  view  to  guard  against  them,  Jackson  determin- 
ed to  take  a  different  route.     He  secretly  despatched,  early 
next  morning,  a  few  pioneers,  to  ascertain  and  designate 
another  crossing  place  below.     A  suitable  one  was  pre- 
sently discovered,   at  about  six  hundred  yards  distance 
f'om  the  old  one;    and  thither  the  General  now  led  his 
army;  having  previously  to  commencing  the  march,  form- 
ed his  columns,  and  the  front  and  rear  guards,  that  he 
might  be  in  an  attitude  for  defence. 

A  beautiful  slope  of  open  woodland   led   down  to  the 
newly  discovered  ford,  where,  except  immediately  on  the 


CHAPTER  IV.  83 

margin  of  the  creek,  which  was  covered  with  a  few  reeds, 
there  was  nothing  to  obstruct  the  view.  The  front  guards, 
and  part  of  the  columns,  had  passed; — the  wounded  were 
also  over,  and  the  artillery  just  entering  the  creek,  when 
an  alarm  gun  was  heard  in  the  rear.  The  Indians,  unex- 
pectedly finding  the  route  changed,  quitted  the  defile  where 
they  had  expected  to  commence  the  assault,  and  advanced 
upon  a  company,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Russell, 
which  marched  in  the  rear.  Though  assailed  by  greatly 
superior  numbers,  it  returned  the  fire,  and  gradually  re- 
tired, until  it  reached  the  rear  guard,  who,  according  to 
express  instructions  given,  were,  in  the  event  of  an  attack, 
to  face  about,  and  act  as  the  advance,  whilst  the  right  and 
kft  columns  should  be  turned  on  their  pivots,  so  as  com- 
pletely to  loop  the  enemy,  and  render  his  destruction  sure. 
The  right  column  of  the  rear  guard  was  commanded  by 
Colonel  Perkins,  the  left  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stump, 
and  the  centre  column  by  Colonel  Carroll.  Jackson  was  just 
passing  the  stream,  when  the  firing  and  yelling  commenc- 
ed. Having  instructed  his  aid-de-camp  to  form  a  line  for 
the  protection  of  the  wounded,  who  were  but  a  short  dis- 
tance in  advance,  and  afterwards  to  turn  the  left  column, 
he  himself  proceeded  to  the  right,  for  a  similar  purpose. 
What  was  his  astonishment,  when,  resting  in  the  hope  of 
victory,  he  beheld  the  right  and  left  columns  of  the  rear 
guard,  after  a  feeble  resistance,  precipitately  give  Avay, 
bringing  with  them  confusion  and  disn'iay,  and  entirely  ob- 
structing the  passage,  over  which  the  principal  strength 
of  the  army  was  to  be  re-crossed  I  This  shameful  flight 
was  well  nigh  being  attended  with  the  most  fatal  conse- 
quences; which  were  alone  averted  by  the  determined 
bravery  of  a  few.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the  centre  column 
had  followed  the  example  of  the  other  two,  and  precipi- 
tated themselves  into  the  creek;  an  inconsiderable  number 
remained  to  oppose  the  violence  of  the  first  assault.  The 
artillery  company,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Armstrong, 
and  composed  of  young  men  of  the  first  families,  who  had 
volunteered  their  services  at  the  commencement  of  the 
campaign,  formed  with  their  muskets  before  the  piece  of 
ordnance  they  had,  and  hastily  dragged  it  from  the  creek 
to  an  eminence,  from  which  they  could  use  it  to  advantage. 
Here  an  obstinate  conflict  ensued;  the  enemy  endeavour- 
ing to  charge  and  capture  it,  whilst  this  company  formed 
with  their  muskets,  and  resolutely  defended  it.     These 


84  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON'. 

young  men,  the  few  who  remained  with  Colonel  Carroll, 
and  the  gallant  Captain  Quarles,  who  fell  at  their  head, 
wiJi  Russeii's  spies,  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  one  hun- 
dred, maintained  with  the  utmost  firmness,  a  contest,  for 
many  mmutes,  against  a  force  five  times  greater  than  their 
own,  and  checked  the  advance  of  a  foe  already  greatly  in- 
spirited f.  om  the  consternation  which  his  first  shock  had 
pi-oduced.  Every  man  who  there  fought,  manifested  a  de- 
termination to  prefer  death  to  flight.  The  brave  Lieute- 
nant Armstrong  fell  at  the  side  of  his  piece,  by  a  wound  in 
the  groin,  and  exclaimed,  as  he  lay,  "Some  of  you  must 
peiish;  bjt  don't  lose  the  gun."  By  his  side,  fell,  mor- 
tally wounded,  his  associate  and  fiiend.  Bird  Evans,  and 
the  gallant  Captain  Hamilton;  who,  having  been  abandoned 
by  his  men,  at  Fort  Strother,  with  his  two  brothers  and 
his  aged  father,  had  attached  himself  to  the  artillery  com- 
pany,, as  a  private,  and,  in  that  capacity,  showed  how  de- 
servedly he  merited  to  command,  by  the  fidelity  with 
which  he  obeyed.  Perilous  as  the  hour  was,  this  little  he- 
roic band  evinced  themselves  cool  and  collected,  as  they 
were  brave  in  battle.  In  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  the 
moment,  the  rammer  and  pricker  of  the  cannon  could  not 
bj  disengaged  from  the  carriage;  in  this  situation  and  at 
such  a  time,  the  invention  of  most  young  soldiers  might 
have  fij-iled;  but  nothing  fearing.  Craven  Jackson  and 
Cunstantine  Perkins,  drove  home  the  cartridges  with  a 
musket,  and  with  the  ramrod  prepared  them  for  the 
match.  In  the  mean  time,  while  the  conflict  was  thus 
iine:}ually  sustained.  General  Jackson  and  his  staff"  had 
been  enabled,  by  great  exertions,  to  restore  something  like 
orc'iLM',  from  confusion.  The  columns  were  again  formed, 
t-nd  put  in  motion;  and  small  detachments  sent  across  the 
creek,  to  support  the  little  band  that  there  maintained 
their  ground.  The  enemy  perceiving  a  strong  force  ad- 
vancing, and  being  warmly  assailed  on  their  left  flank,  by 
Captain  Gordon,  at  the  head  of  his  company  of  spies,  who 
had  advanced  from  the  front,  and  re-crossed  the  creek,  in 
turn  were  stricken  with  alarm,  and  fled  away,  leaving  be- 
hind their  blankets,  and  whatever  was  likely  to  retard 
their  flight.  Detachments  were  ordered  on  the  pursuit, 
who,  in  a  chase  of  two  miles,  destroyed  many  and  wholly 
dispersed  them. 

In  despite  of  the  active  exertions  made  by  General  Jack- 
son, to  restore  order,  they  were,  for  some  time,  unavailing, 


CHAPTER  IV.  85 

and  the  confusion  continued.  In  addition  to  the  assistance 
received  from  his  staff,  who  were  every  where  encouraging, 
and  seeking  to  arrest  the  disordered  flight  of  the  columns, 
he  derived  much  from  the  aid  of  General  Coifee.  That 
officer,  in  consequence  of  the  severe  wound  lately  received 
at  Emuckfaw,  had,  the  day  before,  been  carried  on  a  litter. 
From  the  apprehensions  indulged,  that  an  attack  would 
probably  be  made  upon  them  that  morning,  he  had  pro- 
ceeded from  the  encampment  on  horseback,  and  aided, 
during  the  action,  with  his  usual  calm  and  deliberate 
firmness.  Indeed,  all  the  officers  of  his  brigade,  who, 
having  been  abandoned  by  their  men,  had  formed  them- 
selves into  a  corps,  and  followed  the  army  without  a  com- 
mand, rendered  manifest,  now,  the  value  of  experience. 
This  was  not  a  moment  for  rules  of  fancied  etiquette.  The 
very  men,  who,  a  little  time  before,  would  have  disdained 
advice,  and  spurned  an  order  from  any  but  their  own 
commanders,  did  not  scruple  amidst  the  peril  that  sur- 
rounded them,  to  be  regulated  by  those  who  seemed  to  be 
so  much  better  qualified  for  extricating  them  from  their 
present  danger.  The  hospital  surgeon,  Dr.  Shelby,  ap- 
peared in  the  fight,  and  rendered  important  services.  The 
adjutant-general,  Sitler,  hastened  across  the  creek  in  the 
early  part  of  the  action,  to  the  artillery  company,  for  which 
he  felt  all  the  e-^prit  de  corps^  having  been  once  attached  to 
it;  and  there  remained,  supporting  them  in  their  duties, 
and  participating  in  their  dangers.  Captain  Gordon,  too, 
contributed  greatly  to  dispel  the  peril  of  the  moment,  by 
his  active  sally  on  the  left  flank  of  the  savages.  Of  the 
General  himself,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remark,  that 
but  for  him  every  thing  must  have  gone  to  ruin.  On  him 
all  hopes  were  rested.  In  that  moment  of  confusion,  he 
was  the  rallying  point  even  for  the  spirits  of  the  brave. 
Firm  and  energetic,  and  at  the  same  time  perfectly  self- 
possessed,  his  example  and  his  authority  alike  contributed 
to  arrest  the  flying  and  give  confidence  to  those  who  main- 
tained their  ground.  Cowards  forgot  their  panic,  and 
fronted  danger,  when  they  heard  his  voice  and  beheld  his 
manner;  and  the  brave  would  have  formed  round  his  body 
a  rainpart  with  their  own.  In  the  midst  of  showers  of 
balls,  of  which  he  seemed  unmindful,  he  was  seen  per- 
forming the  duties  of  the  subordinate  officers,  rallying  the 
alarmed,  halting  them  in  their  flight,  forming  his  columns, 
and  inspiriting  them  by  his  example.     An  army  suddenly 

H  \ 


86  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

dismayed,  and  thrown  into  confusion,  was  thus  happily 
rescued  from  a  destruction  which  lately  appeared  inevita- 
ble. Our  total  loss,  in  the  several  engagements,  on  the 
22d  and  to-day,  was  only  twenty  killed,  and  seventy-five 
wounded,  some  of  whom,  however,  afterwards  died.  That 
of  the  enemy  cannot  be  accurately  stated.  The  bodies  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty-nine  of  their  warriors  were  found; 
this,  however,  may  be  considered  as  greatly  below  the  real 
number;  nor  can  their  wounded  be  even  conjectured.  As 
had  been  generally  the  case,  the  greatest  slaughter  was  in 
the  pursuit.  Scattered  through  the  heights  and  hollows, 
many  of  the  wounded  escaped,  and  many  of  the  killed  were 
not  ascertained.  It  is  certain  however,  as  was  afterwards 
disclosed  by  prisoners,  that  considerably  more  than  two 
hundred  of  those,  who  on  this  occasion  went  out  to  battle, 
never  returned;  but  those  who  did  return,  unwilling  it 
should  be  known  their  comrades  were  killed,  and  feeling  it 
might  dispirit  the  nation,  endeavoured  to  have  it  believed, 
and  so  represented  it,  that  they  had  proceeded  on  some 
distant  expedition,  and  would  be  for  some  time  absent. 

After  this  battle,  in  which  had  been  anticipated  certain 
success,  the  enemy,  tired  of  conflicts  so  disastrous,  no 
more  thought  of  harassing  our  march.  Having  continued 
it,  without  interruption,  over  high,  broken,  and,  for  the 
miost  part,  barren  land,  we  encamped,  on  the  night  of  the 
26th,  within  three  miles  of  Fort  Strother.  Thus  termi- 
nated an  expedition  replete  with  peril,  but  attended  with 
effects  highly  beneficial.  Fort  Armstrong  was  relieved; 
General  Floyd  enabled  to  gain  a  victory  at  Autossee,  where, 
but  for  this  movement,  which  had  diverted  much  of  the 
enemy's  strength,  he  would  most  probably  have  met  defeat; 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  enemy's  best  forces  had  been 
destroyed;  and  an  end  put  to  the  hopes  they  had  founded 
on  our  previous  delays.  Discontent  had  been  kept  from 
our  ranks;  the  troops  had  been  beneficially  employed;  and 
inactivity,  the  bane  of  every  army,  had  been  avoided.  But 
perhaps  the  greatest  good  that  resulted  from  the  expedi- 
tion, was  the  effect  produced  on  the  minds  of  the  people 
at  home,  from  whom  was  to  be  collected  a  force  suffi- 
cient to  terminate  the  war.  Experience  has  often  proved 
the  facility  with  which  numbers  are  brought  to  a  victorious 
standard ;  whilst  the  ranks  of  a  defeated  arm.y  are  ever  with 
difficulty  filled.     Any  result,  therefore,  that  was  calculated 


CHAPTER  V.  ST' 

to  bring  an  efficient  force  into  the  field,  was  highly  im- 
portant and  beneficial. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  volunteers  are  discharged. — New  troops  arrive. — Want  of  sup- 
plies.— Mutiny  mththe  East  Tennessee  brigade. — General  Jackson 
marches  against  the  Indians. — Battle  of  Tohopeaka. — Returns  to 
Fort  Williams. — Expedition  to  Hoithlewalee;  its  failure,  and  the 
causes.— Forms  a  junction  witli  the  Georgia  troops,  and  proceeds 
to  tlie  Hickory  gi'ound. — Indians  sue  for  peace. — Weatherford  sur- 
renders liimself — Arrival  of  General  Pinckney  at  head-quarters. — 
Tennessee  troops  are  ordered  to  be  marched  home,  and  discharged 
from  service. 

The  troops  having  reached,  in  safety,  the  post  whence 
they  had  set  out,  and  their  term  of  service  being  within  a 
short  time  of  expiring,  the  General  determined  to  dis- 
charge them.  The  information  from  Tennessee  was, 
that  there  would  soon  be  in  the  field  a  considerable  force, 
and  enlisted  for  a  period  sufficient  to  effect  a  termination 
of  the  Indian  war.  He  was  desirous  of  having  every 
thing  in  readiness  by  the  time  of  their  arrival,  that  they 
might  be  carried  without  delay  into  active  service.  De- 
taining his  late  volunteers,  therefore,  a  short  time,  to  com- 
plete boats  for  the  transportation  of  his  camp  equipage 
and  provisions  down  the  Coosa,  he  directed  them  to  be 
marched  home,  and  there  to  be  honourably  dismissed. 
The  further  service  of  his  artillery  company  was  also  dis- 
pensed with.  Although  he  would  gladly  have  retained 
them,  yet  he  vras  too  well  convinced  of  the  many  sacrifices 
these  young  men  had  made;  of  the  bravery  they  had  dis- 
played, and  the  patience  with  which  they  had  submitted  to 
those  moments  of  scarcity  that  had  raised  up  discontents 
and  mutiny  in  his  camp,  not  to  feel  a  desire  to  gratify 
their  wishes,  and  permit  them,  honourably,  to  retire  from 
a  service,  which  they  had  already  so  materially  benefited. 

A  letter  from  Jackson  to  Governor  Blount,  heretofore 
noticed,  added  to  his  own  sense  of  the  importance  of  the 
crisis,  had  induced  him  to  issue  an  order  on  the  3d,  di- 
recting twenty-five  hundred  of  the  militia  of  the  second 


88  LIFE  or  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

division,  to  be  detached,  organized,  and  equipped,  in  con- 
formity to  an  act  of  Congress  of  the  6th  of  April,  1812. 
These  were  to  perform  a  tour  of  three  months,  to  be  com- 
puted from  the  time  of  rendezvous,  which  was  appointed 
to  be  on  the  28th  instant.  He  had  also  required  General 
Cocke  to  bring  into  the  field,  under  the  requisition  of  the 
secretary  of  war,  the  quota  he  had  been  instructed  to 
raise  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign.  Although  many 
difficulties  had  been  feigned  in  the  execution  of  the  order, 
he  was  enabled  to  muster  into  service,  from  his  division, 
about  two  thousand  men.  These,  however,  as  well  as 
those  called  out  from  West  Tennessee,  were  but  indiffe- 
rently armed. 

The  thirty-ninth  regiment  of  regular  troops,  had  also 
received  orders  to  proceed  to  Jackson's  head-quarters,  and 
act  under  his  command  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  It 
arrived  on  the  5th  or  6th  of  the  month,  about  six  hundred 
strong.  Most  of  the  men  were  badly  armed;  this  evil, 
however,  was  shortly  afterwards  remedied. 

The  quarter-masters  and  contractors  were  already  ac- 
tively engaged,  endeavouring  to  procure  provisions  and 
the  necessary  transportation  for  the  army.  The  failures, 
in  regard  to  former  enterprises,  are  to  be  ascribed  to  these 
two  departments;  to  the  constant  endeavour  of  the  con- 
tractors to  procure  provisions  at  a  reduced  price,  in  order 
to  enhance  their  profits,  and  to  fears  entertained,  lest,  if 
they  should  lay  in  any  large  supply  it  might  spoil  or  waste 
on  their  hands.  Evils  of  this  kind,  growing  out  of  the 
very  nature  of  the  establishment,  ought,  long  since,  to 
have  convinced  the  government  of  the  propriety  of  resort- 
ing to  some  other  and  better  mode  for  supplying  its  armies 
in  times  of  war.  The  inconveniences  in  the  quarter-mas- 
ter's department,  were,  indeed,  less  chargeable  to  the  in- 
cumbents than  to  causes  which  they  could  not  control; 
for,  to  the  extreme  ruggedness  of  the  way  over  which 
wagons  had  to  pass,  was  to  be  added  the  real  difficulty  of 
obtaining  a  sufficient  number  on  the  frontiers.  That  evils 
so  severely  felt,  might,  for  the  future,  be  avoided,  every 
facility  was  aflforded  these  two  departments,  that  the  re- 
quisition now  made  upon  them  might  be  promptly  com- 
plied with. 

To  give,  however,  sufficient  time,  and  to  prevent  any 
unnecessary  press,  the  troops  advancing  from  East  and 
West  Tennessee,  were  directed  to  be  halted  in  the  rear  of 


CHAPTER   V.  89 

the  depots,  until  ample  stores,  in  advance,  to  justify  imme- 
diate operations,  should  be  provided,  and  the  requisite 
transportations  procured. 

About  the  middle  of  the  month,  (March)  in  expectation 
from  the  numerous  and  strong  assurances  he  had  receiv- 
ed, that  all  things  were  in  a  state  of  readiness,  Jackson  or- 
dered the  troops  to  advance,  and  form  a  union  at  head- 
quarters, then  at  Fort  Strother.  Greatly  to  his  surprise 
and  mortification,  he  soon  after  learned  that  the  contrac- 
tor from  East  Tennessee  had  again  failed  to  comply  Avith 
his  engagement,  notwithstanding  the  ample  means  he  pos- 
sessed, and  the  full  time  that  had  been  allowed  him  for  that 
purpose.  The  troops,  however,  agreeably  to  the  order  receiv- 
ed, proceeded  on  their  march.  Those  from  the  second  di- 
vision, under  Brigadier-General  Johnson,  arrived  on  the 
14th;  which,  added  to  the  force  under  General  Doherty, 
from  East  Tennessee,  constituted  about  five  thousand  ef- 
fectives. Composed,  as  this  army  was,  of  troops  entirely 
raw,  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  any  thing  short  of  the 
greatest  firmness  in  its  officers  could  restrain  that  course 
of  conduct  and  disorder  which  had  hitherto  so  unhappily 
prevailed. 

The  execution  of  a  private  (John  Vv'oods,)  sentenced  by 
a  court  martial,  on  a  charge  of  mutiny,  produced  at  this 
time  some  excitement,  and  a  salutary  effect.  On  a  similar 
charge  he  had  before  been  found  guilty,  and  pardoned. 
That  mutinous  spirit,  so  prejudicial  to  an  army,  and  which 
frequently  had  broken  into  the  camp,  was  necessary  to  be 
checked.  This  second  offence,  in  the  same  individual, 
afforded  a  fit  occasion  for  example;  and  to  evince,  that  al- 
though militia  when  at  their  fire  sides  at  home,  might 
boast  exemption  from  control,  yet  in  the  field  those  high 
notions  were  to  be  abandoned  and  subordination  preserv- 
ed. Painful  as  it  was  to  the  feelings  of  General  Jackson, 
he  viewed  it  as  a  sacrifice  essential  to  the  preservation  of 
good  order,  and  left  the  sentence  of  the  court  to  be  inflict- 
ed without  interposing  his  pardoning  power. 

Nothing  was  wanting  now  to  put  the  troops  in  motion, 
and  actively  to  prosecute  the  war,  but  the  want  of  ne- 
cessary supplies.  Remonstrance,  entreaty,  and  threats, 
had  long  since  been  used  and  exhausted.  Every  mean 
had  been  resorted  to,  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  con- 
tractors, the  necessity  of  urging  forward  in  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  duty;  but  the  same  indifference  and 
H  2 


90  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

neglect  were  still  persisted  in.     To  ward  off  the  effects  of 
such  great  evils — evils  which  he  foresaw  must  again  even- 
tuate in  discontent  and  revolt,  Jackson  resolved  to  pursue 
a  different  course,  and  no  longer  depend  on  persons  who 
had  so  frequently  disappointed  him,   and  whose  only  ob- 
ject was  the  acquirement  of  wealth.     He  accordingly  des- 
patched messengers  to  the  nearest  settlements,  with  direc- 
tions to  purchase  provisions,  at  whatever  price  they  could 
be  procured.     This  course,  to  those  incumbents,  afforded 
an  argument  infinitely  stronger  than  any  to  which  he  had 
before  resorted.     Unexpectedly  assailed  in  away  they  hud 
not  previously  thought  of,  by  being  held  and  made  liable 
for  the  amount  of  purchases,  which  by  their  neglect  was 
rendered  necessary,  they  exerted  themselves  in  discharge  of 
a  duty  they  had  hitherto  so  shamefully  neglected.     Every 
expedient  had  been  practised  to  urge  them  to  a  compliance 
of  the  obligations  they  were  imder  to  their  government; 
until  the  present,  none  had  proved  effectual.    In  one  of  his 
letters,  about  this  time,  the  General  remarks:  "I  have  no 
doubt  but  a  combination  has  been  formed  to  defeat  the 
objects  of  the  campaign;  but  the  contractor  ought  to  have 
recollected  that  he  had  disappointed  and  starved  my  army 
once;  and  now,  in  return,  it  shall  be  amply  provided  for 
at  his  expense.     At  this  point  he  was  to  have  delivered 
the  rations — and  whatever  they  may  cost,  at  this  place,  he 
will  be  required  to  pay:  any  price  that  will  ensure  their 
delivery,  I  have  directed  to  be  given."     The  supplying  an 
army  by  contractors,  he  had  often  objected  to  as  highly  ex- 
ceptionable and  dangerous.     His  monitor,  on  this  subject, 
was  his  own  experience.     Disappointment,  mutiny,  and 
abandonment  by  his  troops,  when  in  the  full  career  of  suc- 
cess,   and    an  unnecessarily  protracted    campaign,   were 
among  the  evils  already  experienced,  and  which  he  desir- 
ed, if  possible,  might  be  in  future  avoided.   The  difficukies 
— the  pei-plexities  he  had  met;  and  the  constant  dissrttis- 
faction  which   had  rendered  his  troops  inefficient,  were 
wholly  to  be  attributed  to  those,  who,  in  disregard  of  the 
public  good,  had  looked  alone  to  their  ov/n  immediate  be- 
nefit.    It  was  high  time  that  the  feelings  and  interest  of 
such  men  should  be  disregarded,  and  a  sense  of  duty  en- 
forced, by  that  sort  of  appeal  which  sordid  minds  best  can 
understand — an  appeal  to  profit  and  the  purse. 

Under  these  and  other  circumstances,  which  seemed  to 
involve  the  most  serious  consequences,  the  General  had 


CHAPTER  V.  91 

but  little  time  for  repose  or  quietness.  Every  thing  was 
moving  in  opposition  to  his  wishes.  The  East  Tennessee 
brigade,  under  the  command  of  Doherty,  having  been  in- 
structed to  halt,  until  adequate  supplies  should  be  received 
at  head-quarters,  had  already  manifested  many  symptoms 
of  revolt,  and  with  difficulty  was  restrained  from  abandon- 
ing the  field,  and  returning  immediately  home.  Added  to 
their  own  discontents,  and  unwillingness  to  remain  in  ser- 
vice, much  pains  had  been  taken  by  a  personage  high  in 
authority,  to  scatter  dissention,  and  to  persuade  them  that 
they  had  been  improperly  called  out,  and  without  sufficient 
authority  ;•— that  the  draft  was  illegal,  and  that  they  were 
under  no  necessity  to  remain.  Arguments  like  these, 
when  urged  by  a  man  of  standing  and  in  office,  were 
well  calculated  to  answer  the  end  desired ;  what  the  go- 
verning motive  was,  that  gave  rise  to  a  course  of  conduct 
so  much  at  war  with  the  public  interest,  and  the  duty  of 
a  soldier,  is  difficult  to  be  imagined;  none  was  ever  avowed, 
and  certainly  none  can  be  offered  that  will  account  for  it 
satisfactorily.  On  the  morning  that  General  Doherty  was 
about  to  proceed  to  head-quarters,  he  was  astonished  to 
hear  the  drums  beating,  for  volunteers,  to' abandon  his 
camp  and  return  home.  Notwithstanding  all  efforts  to 
prevent  this  injurious  measure,  one  hundred  and  eighty 
deserted.  He  was  surprised,  on  receiving  information  in 
which  he  confided,  that  instructions  by  General  Cocke, 
had  been  given,  that  in  the  event  any  number  of  the  troops 
would  march  back,  he  would  take  upon  himself  to  dis- 
charge them  from  all  responsibility  on  their  return  to 
Knoxville. 

General  Jackson  having  at  length,  by  constant  and  un- 
remitted exertions,  obtained  such  supplies  as  he  believed, 
would  be  necessary  to  enable  him  to  proceed,  determined 
to  set  out  and  pursue  his  course  still  further  into  the  ene- 
my's country.  A  fear  of  the  consequences  to  an  army 
from  inaction;  a  wish  that  time  might  not  be  loitered 
away  uselessly;  and  a  consciousness  that  a  sufficiency  of 
provisions  was  on  the  way,  and  could  be  forwarded  to 
him  from  the  post  maintained  in  his  rear,  prompted  him 
to  do  so.  On  the  14th  he  commenced  his  march,  and 
crossing  the  river,  arrived  on  the  21st  at  the  mouth  of 
Cedar  creek,  which  had  been  previously  selected  for  the 
establishment  of  a  fort.  At  this  place  it  became  necessary 
to  delay  a  day  or  two,  with  a  view  to  detail  a  sufficient 


92  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

force  for  the  protection  and  safety  of  the  post,  and  to  await 
the  coming  of  the  provision  boats  -which  were  descend- 
ing the  Coosa,  and  which,  as  yet,  had  not  arrived. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Emuck- 
faw,  General  Coffee,  as  has  been  already  stated,  had  been 
detached  to  destroy  the  Indian  encampment  on  the  Talla- 
poosa; having  reconnoitred  their  position,  and  believing 
them  too  strongly  posted  to  be  advantageously  assailed  by 
the  force  Avhich  he  then  commanded,  he  had  retired  with- 
out making  the  attempt.  The  position  they  had  chosen 
was  at  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  called  by  the  Indians  To- 
hopeaka,  which  interpreted  into  our  language,  means 
Horse  Shoe,  not  far  from  New  Youcka,  and  near  the  Oak- 
fusky  villages.  Fortified  as  it  was  by  nature,  and  the  skill 
and  exertions  of  the  savages,  no  other  conjecture  was-  en- 
tertained, than  at  this  place  was  intended  a  defence  of  the 
most  desperate  and  determined  kind.  Learning  that  the 
Indians  were  still  embodied  there,  Jackson  resolved,  so 
soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be  made  to 
keep  open  a  communication,  and  preserve  in  safety  his 
rear,  to  make  a  descent  on  it,  and  destroy  the  confede- 
racy; thence*,  returning  to  Fort  Williams  for  provisions, 
to  urge  forward  to  the  Hickory  ground,  where  he  hoped 
he  would  be  able  finally  to  terminate  the  war. 

On  the  24th  March,  leaving  a  sufficient  force  under 
Brigadier-General  Johnston  for  the  protection  of  the  post, 
with  eight  days'  provisions  he  left  Fort  Williams  and  set 
out  for  the  Tallapoosa,  by  the  way  of  Emuckfaw.  His 
whole  force  amounted  to  less  than  three  thousand  effective 
men;  being  considerably  reduced  by  the  necessity  of  leav- 
ing behind  him  detachments  for  garrisons  at  the  different 
forts.  At  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  after  a 
march  of  fifty-two  miles,  he  reached  the  village  Toho- 
peaka.  The  enemy,  having  gained  intelligence  of  his  ap- 
proach, had  collected  in  considerable  numbers,  with  a  viev/ 
to  give  him  battle.  The  warriors  from  the  adjacent  towns, 
Oakfusky,  Hillabee,  Eufalec,  and  New  Youcka,  amount- 
ing to  a  thousand  or  twelve  hundred,  were  here  collected 
ready,  and  waiting  his  approach.  They  could  have  se- 
lected no  place  better  calculated  for  defence;  for,  inde- 
pendent of  the  advantages  bestowed  on  it  by  nature,  their 
own  exertions  had  greatly  contributed  to  its  strength. 
Surrounded  almost  entirely  by  the  river,  it  was  accessible 
only  by  a  narrow  neck  of  land,  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 


CHAPTER  V.  93 

yards  width,  which  they  had  taken  much  pains  to  secure 
and  defend,  by  placing  large  timbers  and  trunks  of  trees 
horizontally  on  each  other,  leaving  but  a  single  place  of 
entrance.  From  a  double  row  of  port  holes  formed  in  it, 
they  were  enabled  to  give  complete  direction  to  their  fire, 
whilst  they  lay  in  perfect  security  behind. 

General  Coffee,  at  the  head  of  the  mounted  infantry  and 
friendly  Indians,  had  been  despatched  early  in  the  morning 
from  camp,  with  orders  to  gain  the  southern  bank  of  the 
river,  encircle  the  bend,  and  make  some  feint,  or  manoeu- 
vring, by  which  to  divert  the  enemy  from  the  point  where 
the  attack  was  intended  principally  to  be  waged.  He  was 
particularly  instructed  so  to  arrange  and  dispose  the  force 
under  his  command,  that  the  savages  miight  not  escape  by 
passing  to  the  opposite  side  in  their  canoes,  with  which,  it 
was  represented,  the  whole  shore  was  lined.  Jackson,  with 
the  rest  of  the  army,  proceeded  to  take  a  position  in  front 
of  the  breast-work.  Having  planted  his  cannon  on  an 
eminence,  about  two  hundred  yapds  from  the  front  of  the 
enemy's  line,  with  a  view  to  break  down  his  defence,  a 
brisk  fire  commenced.  The  musketry  and  rifles,  which 
occupied  a  nearer  position,  were  used  as  the  Indians  occa- 
sionally showed  themselves  from  behind  their  works.  The 
artillery  was  well  served  by  Major  Bradford,  and  the  fire 
kept  up  for  some  minutes  without  making  any  impression; 
time,  however,  was  gained  for  complete  readiness.  The 
signals  having  now  announced  that  General  Coffee  had 
reached  in  safety  his  point  of  destination,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  had  formed  his  line,  and  was  ready  to  act, 
the  order  was  given  to  charge.  "  Never  were  troops  more 
eager  to  be  led  on  than  were  both  regulars  and  militia. 
They  had  been  waiting  with  impatience  for  the  order,  and 
hailed  it  with  acclamations.  The  spirit  that  animated 
them  was  a  sure  augury  of  the  success  that  was  to  follow.'* 
Between  them  there  was  no  difference;  both  advanced  with 
the  intrepidity  and  firmness  of  veteran  soldiers.  The  thirty- 
ninth  regiment,  led  on  by  their  commander,  Colonel  Wil- 
liams, and  the  brave  but  ill-fated  Major  Montgomery,  and 
the  militia  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bunch,  moved 
forward  amidst  a  destructive  fire  that  continually  poured  up- 
on them,  and  were  presently  at  the  rampart.  Here  an  obsti- 
nate and  destructive  conflict  ensued,  each  contending  for 
the  port  holes,  on  different  sides.  Many  of  the  enemy's 
balls  were  welded  between  the  muskets  and  bayonets  of 


94  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

our  soldiers.  At  this  moment,  Major  Montgomery,  leap- 
ing on  the  wall,  called  to  his  men  to  mount  and  follow 
him;  he  had  scarcely  spoken  when,  shot  through  the  head, 
he  fell  lifeless  to  the  ground.  Our  troops  eagerly  followed 
the  example  he  had  set  and  scaled  their  ramparts.  Find- 
ing it  no  longer  tenable,  the  savages  abandoned  their 
position,  and  retiring  from  their  works  concealed  them- 
selves amidst  the  brush  and  timber  that  lay  thickly  scat- 
tered over  the  peninsula;  whence  they  continued  resistance, 
and  kept  up  a  galling  and  constant  fire,  until  they  were 
again  charged,  and  forced  back.  Driven  to  despair,  not 
knowing  whither  to  flee,  and  resolving  not  to  surrender, 
they  saw  no  other  alternative,  than  an  effort  to  effect  their 
escape,  by  passing  in  their  canoes  to  the  opposite  bank  of 
the  river;  from  this  they  were,  however,  prevented,  by 
perceiving  that  a  part  of  the  army  already  lined  the  oppo- 
site shore.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  remaining 
"warriors,  who  yet  survived  the  severity  of  the  conflict, 
betaking  themselves  to  flight,  leaped  down  the  banks,  and 
concealed  themselves  along  the  cliffs  and  steeps,  which 
ivere  covered  by  the  trees  that  had  been  felled  from  their 
margin.  Many  had  betaken  themselves  to  the  west  angle 
of  their  line  of  defence,  where,  under  cover  and  protection 
of  heaps  of  brush,  a  spirited  fire  was  kept  up  upon  those 
of  our  troops  who  had  gained  their  line,  and  those  who 
were  advancing  on  the  outer  side.  From  these  secreted 
places  they  would  fire  and  disappear.  General  Jackson 
perceiving  that  further  resistance  must  involve  them  in 
utter  destruction;  and  entertaining  a  desire  that  they 
should  yield  a  contest  which  now  evidently  was  a  hopeless 
one,  ordered  the  interpreter  to  advance  with  a  flag,  under 
cover  of  some  trees  which  stood  in  front,  until  he  should 
reach  a  position  sufficiently  near  to  be  heard.  He  did  so, 
and  having  arrived  within  forty  yards  of  the  spot  where 
the  Indians  were  concealed,  in  an- audible  voice,  and  in 
their  own  language,  addressed  them;  told  them  of  the 
folly  of  further  resistance,  and  that  he  was  commanded  by 
General  Jackson  to  say,  that  if  disposed  to  surrender,  they 
should  be  received  and  treated  as  prisoners.  They  waited 
patiently  until  he  had  finished,  and  heard  what  he  had  to 
say ; — a  pause  ensued !  and  at  the  moment  when  he  was 
expecting  to  receive  an  answer,  and  to  learn  that  a  surren- 
der would  at  once  be  made,  a  fire  was  opened  upon  the 
flag,  and  the  interpreter  severely  wounded  in  the  breast. 


CHAPTER   V.  95 

Finding  they  would  not  yield,  nor  abandon  the  course  of 
desperation  on  which  they  had  resolutely  fixed  their  minds, 
orders  were  given  to  dislodge  them.  To  accomplish  this 
the  artillery  was  first  turned  against  them ;  but  being  from 
its  size  incapable  of  producing  any  efl*ect,  a  charge  was 
made,  in  which  several  valuable  lives  were  lost;  it  however 
succeeded,  and  the  enemy  were  dislodged  from  their 
covert  place  on  the  right  angle  of  their  line  of  defence. 
Lighted  torches  were  now  thrown  down  the  steeps,  which, 
communicating  with  the  brush  and  trees,  and  setting  them 
on  fire,  drove  them  from  their  hiding  places  and  brought 
them  to  view.  Still  did  they  refuse  to  surrender,  and  still 
maintained  the  conflict.  Thus  the  carnage  continued 
until  night  separated  the  combatants,  when  the  few  mis- 
guided savages  who  had  avoided  the  havoc  and  slaughter 
of  the  day,  were  enabled,  through  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  to  make  their  escape. 

Whilst  the  attack  was  thus  waged  in  front  of  the  line, 
the  friendly  Indians  in  general  Coffee's  detachment,  under 
the  command  of  colonel  Morgan,  with  captain  Russell's 
company  of  spies,  were  effecting  much;  and  no  doubt,  to 
the  course  pursued  by  them,  on  the  opposite  side,  was 
greatly  owing  the  facility  with  which  the  breast-work 
was  scaled,  and  its  possession  obtained.  The  village  stood 
on  the  margin  of  the  river,  and  on  that  part  of  the  penin- 
sula most  remote  from  the  fortification.  At  the  line  were 
all  their  warriors  collected.  Several  of  theCherokees  and 
Russell's  spies  having  swam  across,  unobserved,  and  pro- 
cured their  canoes,  a  considerable  number  passed  over, 
entered  the  toAvn,  and  fired  it.  No  sooner  was  this  dis- 
covered, than  their  attention  and  opposition  was  neces- 
sarily divided,  and  drawn  to  the  protection  of  a  point  which 
they  had  hitherto  believed  secure,  and  where  they  had  not 
apprehended  an  attack.  Thus  assailed  from  an  unexpected 
quarter— a  force  in  their  rear,  and  another  still  stronger, 
advancing  on  their  front,  the  invading  army  was  afforded 
a  less  hazardous  opportunity  of  succeeding  in  the  assault 
and  securing  the  victory. 

This  battle  gave  a  death  blow  to  their  hopes;  nor  did 
they  venture,  afterwards,  to  make  a  stand.  From  their 
fastnesses  in  the  woods  they  had  tried  their  strength, 
agreeably  to  their  accustomed  mode  of  warfare;  in  ambus- 
cade, had  brought  on  the  attack;  and,  in  all,  failure  and 
disaster  had  been  met.     None  of  the  advantages  incident 


96  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

on  surprise,  and  for  which  the  red  men  of  our  forests  have 
been  always  so  characterized,  had  they  been  able  to  obtain. 
The  continual  defeats  they  had  received,  were,  doubtless, 
the  reason  of  their  having  so  strongly  fortified  this  place, 
where  they  had  determined  to  p>erish  or  to  be  victorious. 
That  such  a  resolution  had  been  taken,  is  conclusive, 
from  the  circumstance  of  their  having  permitted  their 
women  and  children  to  remain:  these  they  are  always 
careful  to  remove  far  from  danger,  and  their  scenes  of 
action.  The  assurance  of  success  which  they  indulged, 
arising  from  the  security  their  position  and  defence  pre- 
sented, had  prevented  their  adhering  to  this  precautionary 
measure,  which,  hitherto,  they  had  never  overlooked.  In 
this  action,  the  best  and  bravest  of  their  warriors  were 
destroyed;  and  a  greater  loss  was  sustained  than  had  been 
met  with  in  any  of  their  previous  contests.  Few  escaped 
the  carnage  Of  the  killed,  many  by  their  friends  were 
thrown  into  the  river,  whilst  the  battle  raged ; — many,  in 
endeavouring  to  pass  it,  were  sunk  by  the  steady  fire  of 
Coffee's  brigade;  and  five  hundred  and  fifty-seven  were 
left  dead  on  the  ground.  Among  the  number  of  the  slain, 
were  three  of  their  prophets.  Decorated  in  the  most  fan- 
tastic manner — the  plumage  of  various  birds  about  their 
heads  and  shoulders;  with  savage  grimaces,  and  horrid 
contortions  of  the  body,  they  danced  and  howled  their 
cantations  to  the  sun.  Their  dependents  already  believed 
a  communion  with  heaven  sure,  which,  moved  by  entreaty, 
and  their  offered  homage,  would  aid  them  in  the  conflict, 
and  give  a  triumph  to  their  arms.  Fear  had  no  influence; 
and  when  they  beheld  our  army  approaching,  and  already 
scaling  their  line  of  defence,  even  then,  far  from  being 
dispirited,  hope  survived,  and  victory  was  still  anticipated. 
Monohoe,  one  of  the  most  considerable  of  their  inspired 
ones,  and  who  had  cheered  and  kept  alive  the  broken 
spirit  of  the  nation  by  his  pretended  divinations,  fell,  mor- 
tally wounded,  by  a  cannon  shot  in  the  mouth,  while  ear- 
nestly engaged  in  his  incantations,  and  in  urging  and 
encouraging  his  troops  resolutely  to  contend. 

Three  hundred  prisoners  were  taken,  most  of  whom 
were  women  and  children.  That  so  few  warriors  should 
have  sought  and  obtained  safety,  by  appealing  to  the 
clemency  of  the  victors,  to  persons  acquainted  with  the 
mode  of  Indian  warfare  will  not  appear  a  matter  of  sur- 
prise.    It  seldom  happens  that  they  extend  or  solicit  quar- 


CHAPTER   V.  97 

ter:  faithless  themselves,  they  place  no  reliance  on  the  faith 
of  others;  and,  when  overcome  in  battle,  seek  no  other 
protection  than  dexterity  and  haste  in  retreat  afford.  In 
this  contest  they  maintained  resistance,  fighting"  and  firing 
from  their  covert  places,  long  after  the  hope  either  of 
success  or  escape  was,  or  should  have  been  at  an  end,  and 
after  the  proposal  had  been  submitted  to  spare  the  further 
useless  waste  of  blood.  A  few,  who  had  lain  quiet,  and 
concealed  under  the  cliffs,  survived  the  severity  of  the 
conflict,  and  effected  their  retreat  under  cover  of  the  night. 

Our  loss,  although  considerable,  was  small,  when  com-^ 
pared  with  that  of  the  enemy;  the  whole  estimate  was  but 
fifty-five  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-six  wounded. 
Of  the  former  was  major  Montgomery,  a  brave  and  enter- 
prising young  officer,  of  the  thirty-ninth  regiment,  and 
lieutenants  Moulton  and  Somerville,  who  fell  early  in  the 
action. 

The  object  of  the  present  visit  being  answered,  the  gene- 
ral, in  pursuance  of  the  plan  with  which  he  had  set  out, 
concluded  to  return  to  Fort  Williams.  Having  sunk  his 
dead  in  the  river,  to  prevent'  their  being  scalped  by  the 
savages,  and  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for  carry- 
ing off  his  wounded,  he  commenced  his  return  march  for 
the  fort,  and  in  a  few  days  reached  it  in  safety.* 

His  first  object,  on  his  arrival,  was  to  excite,  in  the 
breasts  of  his  soldiers,  a  sense  of  pride  commensurate 
with  the  achievements  they  had  performed,  and  the  valour 
they  had  displayed.  He  was  impelled  to  it  from  a  con- 
sciousness that  feeling,  once  subsided,  could  with  difficulty 

*  Sinking  them  in  the  river,  in  preference  to  barring  them,  was 
adopted,  fi'omthe  cons' deration,  that  those  of  our  troops  who  had  pre- 
viously fallen,  had  been  raised,  stripped,  and  scalped.  Many  of  the 
Indians  at  Tohopeka  were  found  in  the  clothes  of  those  who  had  been 
killed  and  buried  at  Emuckfaw.  This  could  operate  no  injury  to  the 
dead;  yet  was  it  impoitant,  that  for  the  future  this  should  be  prevented. 
It  was  well  ascertained,  that  the  Creek  nation,  g(;nerat]y,  were  igno- 
rant of  the  extent  and  number  of  their  defeats;  and  so  long  as  they 
could  be  induced  to  believe,  by  those  who  undertook  to  account  for  it 
in  that  v>'ay,  that  their  missing  warriors  were  ahve,  and  on  some  dis- 
tant enterprise;  or  could  see  the  scalps  of  the  killed,  which  tliey  always 
consider  evidences  of  victory,  the  war  would  continue.  It  was  thouglit, 
tlierefore,  better  to  sink  them  in  the  river  than  to  bury  them,  as  the 
enemy  would  be  thereby  deprived  of  those  badges  of  national  and 
individual  distinction,  the  effect  of  which  would  be  to  shorten  the 
period  of  tlie  wai\ 
I 


98  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

be  again  aroused;  and  from  a  desire  to  ward  off  that  des- 
pondency from  his  ranks  which  had  once  proved  so  fatal 
to  his  hopes.  With  a  view  to  these  objects,  the  next  day 
on  parade,  before  the  fort,  he  published  to  them  this 
address: 

"You  have  entitled  yourselves  to  the  gratitude  of  your 
country  and  your  general.  The  expedition,  from  which 
you  have  just  returned,  has,  by  your  good  conduct,  been 
rendered  prosperous,  beyond  any  example  in  the  history 
of  our  warfare:  it  has  redeemed  the  character  of  your  state, 
and  of  that  description  of  troops  of  which  the  greater  part 
of  you  are. 

•*  You  have,  within  a  few  days,  opened  your  way  to  the 
Tallapoosa,  and  destroyed  a  confederacy  of  the  enemy, 
ferocious  by  nature,  and  who  had  grown  insolent  from 
impunity.  Relying  on-  their  numbers,  the  security  of 
their  situation,  and  the  assurances  of  their  prophets,  they 
derided  our  approach,  and  already  exulted  in  anticipation 
of  the  victory  they  expected  to  obtaiL.  But  they  were 
ignorant  of  the  influence  and  effect  of  government  on  the 
human  powers,  nor  knew  what  brave  men,  and  civilized, 
could  effect.  By  their  yells,  they  hoped  to  frighten  us, 
and  with  their  woodlen  fortifications  to  oppose  us.  Stupid 
mortals!  their  yells  but  designated  their  situation  the  more 
certainly;  whilst  their  walls  became  a  snare  for  their  own 
destruction.  So  will  it  ever  be,  when  presumption  and 
ignorance  contend  against  bravery  and  prudence. 

"The  fiends  of  the  Tallapoosa  will  no  longer  murder 
our  women  and  children,  or  disturb  the  quiet  of  our  bor- 
ders. Their  midnight  flambeaux  will  no  more  illumine 
their  council-house,  or  shine  upon  the  victim  of  their 
infernal  orgies.  In  their  places,  a  new  generation  will 
arise,  who  will  know  their  duty  better.  The  weapons  of 
warfare  will  be  exchanged  for  the  utensils  of  husbandry; 
and  the  wilderness,  which  now  withers  in  sterility,  and 
mourns  the  desolation  which  overspreads  her,  will  blossom 
as  the  rose,  and  become  the  nursery  of  the  arts.  But 
before  this  happy  day  can  arrive,  other  chastisements 
remain  to  be  inflicted.  It  is  indeed  lamentable,  that  the 
path  to  peace  should  lead  through  blood,  and  over  the 
bodies  of  the  slain  :  but  it  is  a  dispensation  of  Providence, 
and  perhaps  a  wise  one,  to  inflict  partial  evils,  that  ulti- 
mate good  may  be  produced. 

"Our  enemies  are  not  sufficiently  humbled, — they  do 


CHAPTER  V.  99 

not  sue  for  peace^  A  collection  of  them  await  our 
approach,  and  remain  to  be  dispersed.  Buried  in  igno- 
rance, and  seduced  by  the  false  pretences  of  their  prophets, 
they  have  the  weakness  to  believe  they  will  still  be  able  to 
make  a  decided  stand  against  us.  They  must  be  unde- 
ceived, and  made  to  atone  their  obstinacy  and  their 
crimes,  by  still  further  suffering.  Those  hopes  which  have 
so  long  deluded  them,  must  be  driven  from  their  last 
refuge.  They  must  be  made  to  know,  that  their  prophets 
are  impostors,  and  that  our  strength  is  mighty,  and  will 
prevail.  Then,  and  not  till  then,  may  we  expect  to  make 
with  them  a  peace  that  shall  be  permanent." 

Understanding  that  the  enemy  was  embodied,  in  con- 
siderable numbers,  at  Hoithlewalee,  a  town  situated  not  far 
from  the  Hickory  ground,  he  was  anxious  to  re-commence 
his  operations  as  early  as  possible,  that  the  advantages  he 
had  gaii\ed,  and  the  impression  he  had  made,  might  not 
be  lost.  The  forces  under  his  command,  from  sickness, 
the  loss  which  had  been  sustained  in  the  late  battle,  and 
numerous  discharges  given,  had  been  too  much  reduced  in 
strength,  to  permit  him  to  act  as  efficiently  as  the  impor- 
tance of  the  crisis  required.  It  was  desirable,  therefore, 
to  effect  a  junction  with  the  southern  army  as  speedily  as 
possible,  that,  from  an  increase  and  concentration  of  his 
numbers,  greater  efficiency  might  be  had.  The  North 
Carolina  troops,  under  the  command  of  general  Graham, 
an  experienced  officer  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  those 
of  Georgia,  under  colonel  Milton,  were  ascertained  to  be 
somewhere  south  of  the  Tallapoosa,  and  could  be  at  no 
great  distance.  To  unite  with  them  was  a  circumstance 
greatly  desired,  as  well  with  a  view  to  push  his  operations 
more  actively,  as  to  be  able  to  procure  for  the  army  those 
supplies  which  he  feared  the  resources  within  his  own 
camp  might  not  sufficiently  afford;  for  hitherto,  he  had 
received  from  General  Pinckney  strong  assurances  that  all 
complaints  on  this  subject  would  be  at  an  end  so  soon  as 
his  and  the  southern  division  could  unite.  No  time  was 
to  be  lost  in  effecting  a  purpose  so  essential.  General 
Jackson  accordingly  determined  to  leave  his  sick  and 
wounded,  and  the  fort,  to  the  care  and  command  of  briga- 
dier Johnson,  and  to  set  out  again  for  the  Tallapoosa.  On 
the  7th,  with  all  his  disposable  force,  he  commenced  his 
march,  with  the  double  view  of  effecting  a  union  with  the 
army  below,  and  of  attacking  on  his  route  the  enemy's 


100  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

force  which  were  collected  at  Hoithlewalee.  His  greatest 
difficulty  was  in  conveying  to  Colonel  Milton  intelligence 
of  his  intended  operations.  The  friendly  Indians,  who, 
from  their  knowledge  of  the  country,  had  been  always  se- 
lected as  expresses,  were  with  difficulty  to  be  prevailed  on 
now  for  any  such  undertaking.  Believing  their  nation  to 
be  embodied  in  larger  numbers  than  any  which  had  been 
yet  encountered,  and  that,  confiding  in  their  strength,  they 
would  be  better  enabled  to  go  forth,  searching  and  spying 
through  the  surrounding  country,  they  at  once  concluded 
that  any  enterprise  of  this  kind  would  be  attended  with  too 
great  peril  and  danger,  and  the  difficulty  of  eluding  ob- 
servation too  much  increased,  for  them  to  adventure. 
This  circumstance  had  as  yet  prevented  the  arrangement 
of  such  measures  as  were  best  calculated  to  bring  the  dif- 
ferent divisions  to  act  in  general  concert.  The  necessity, 
however,  of  such  co-operation,  was  too  important,  at  this 
moment,  not  to  be  effected,  if  it  were  possible.  Should  it 
be  possible,  ai  the  point  they  now  occupied,  to  bring  the 
enemy  to  battle,  and  a  decisive  advantage  to  be  obtained 
over  them,  dispirited  and  broken,  they  might  be  induced 
to  submit  to  any  terms,  and  the  conflict  be  ended;  but  if 
suffered  to  escape,  they  might  again  collect,  give  battle  at 
some  fortunate  and  unexpected  moment,  and  thereby  pro- 
tract the  war  a  considerable  time.  To  prevent  this  was 
desirable;  and  in  no  other  way  could  it  so  certainly  be  ef- 
fected, than  that  while  the  Tennessee  troops  under  the 
command  of  Jackson  advanced  from  the  north,  the  Caroli- 
nians and  Georgians  might  make  such  a  "disposition  as 
would  prevent  any  escape  of  the  enemy,  by  their  crossing 
the  river,  and  passing  off  in  the  direction  of  Pensacola  and 
the  Escambia. 

Having  at  length  succeeded  in  procuring"  confidential 
messengers,  previously  to  setting  out  on  this  expedition, 
Jackson  addressed  Colonel  Milton,  and  advised  him  of  his 
intended  movement.  To  guard  against  any  accident  or 
failure  that  might  happen,  different  expresses  were  des- 
patched, by  different  routes.  He  informed  him,  that  with 
eight  days'  provisions,  and  a  force  of  about  two  thousand 
men,  he  should,  on  the  7th,  take  up  the  line  of  march,  and 
proceed  directly  for  Hoithlewalee;  which  he  expected 
certainly  to  reach  and  attack  on  the  11th.  He  urged  the 
necessity  of  a  proper  concert  being  established  in  their 
movements ;  and  either  that  he  should  proceed  against  the 


CHAPTER  V,  101 

same  place,  about  the  same  time,  or,  by  making  some  fa- 
vourable diversion  in  the  neighbourhood,  contribute  to  the 
successful  accomplishment  of  the  objects  of  the  expedi- 
tion. 

The  point  of  destination,  owing  to  the  torrents  of  rain 
which  had  fallen,  and  raised  the  streams  to  considerable 
heights,  he  was  not  able  to  reach  until  the  13th.  This 
delay,  unavoidable,  and  not  to  be  prevented,  gave  the  In- 
dians an  opportunity  of  fleeing  from  the  threatened  danger. 
On  arriving  at  an  usually  inconsiderable  stream  which 
skirted  the  town,  it  was  so  swollen  as  to  be  rendered  im- 
passable. The  savages,  gaining  intelligence  of  an  ap- 
proach that  was  thus  unavoidably  retarded,  were  enabled 
to  effect  an  escape  by  passing  the  river  in  their  canoes, 
and  gaining  the  opposite  shore.  Had  Colonel  Milton  for- 
tunately made  a  different  disposition  of  the  troops  under 
his  command,  and  by  guarding  the  southern  bank  of  the 
river,  co-operated  with  the  Tennessee  division,  their  escape 
would  have  been  prevented,  and  the  whole  force,  col- 
lected, either  have  been  destroyed  or  made  prisoners.  Al- 
though Jackson,  in  his  letter  of  the  5th,  had  given  intelli- 
gence that  he  would  reach  the  enemy  on  the  11th;  and 
when  prevented  by  high  waters  and  rotten  roads,  had 
again  notified  him  that  he  would  certainly  arrive  and 
commence  the  attack  by  the  morning  of  the  13th,  and 
urged  him  to  guard  the  south  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa,  still 
was  the  request  disregarded,  and  the  savages  permitted  to 
escape.  Learning  they  were  abandoning  their  position, 
and  seeking  safety  in  flight,  Jackson  filed  to  the  right, 
and  overtaking  the  rear  of  the  fugitives,  succeeded  in 
making  tv*^enty-five  prisoners.  At  this  time,  nothing  was 
heard  of  Colonel  Milton;  but  on  the  same  day,  having 
marched  about  five  miles  from  his  encampment  at  Fort 
Decatur,  and  approached  within  four  of  Hoithlewalee,  he, 
the  next  morning,  gave  notice  of  an  intention  to  attack  the 
village  that  day;  at  this  moment  the  inhabitants  and  war- 
riors had  fled,  and  the  town  was  occupied  and  partly  des- 
troyed by  a  detachment  from  Jackson's  army  that  had  suc- 
ceeded in  passing  the  creek. 

The  Georgia  army  being  so  near  at  hand,  was  a  source 
of  some  satisfaction,  although  the  escape  of  the  enemy  had 
rendered  their  presence  of  less  importance  than  it  other- 
wise would  have  been.  The  stock  of  provisions,  with 
■which  the  march  had  been  commenced  from  Fort  Wil- 
i2 


102  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

liams,  was  now  nearly  exhausted.  Assurances,  however, 
having  been  so  repeatedly  given,  that  abundant  supplies 
would  be  had  on  uniting  with  the  southern  army,  and  that 
event  being  now  so  near  at  hand,  all  uneasiness  upon  the 
subject  was  at  once  dispelled.  Colonel  Milton  was  imme- 
diately applied  to,  the  situation  of  the  army  disclosed,  and 
such  aid  as  he  could  extend,  solicited.  He  returned  an 
answer  to  the  General's  demand,  observing,  he  had  sent 
provisions  for  the  friendly  Indians,  and  would,  the  ncx-t 
day,  lend  some  for  the  remainder  of  the  troops;  but  felt 
himself  under  no  obligation  to  furnish  any.  Jackson,  fully 
satisfied  of  its  being  in  his  power  to  relieve  him,  and  that 
this  apparent  unwillingness  did  not,  and  could  not  proceed 
from  any  scarcity  in  his  camp,  assumed  a  higher  ground, 
and  instead  of  asking  assistance,  now  demanded  it  He 
stated,  that  his  men  were  destitute  of  supplies,  and  that 
he  had  been  duly  apprised  of  it;  and  concluded  by  order- 
ing, not  requesting,  him  to  send  five  thousand  rations  im- 
mediately, for  present  relief;  and  for  himself  and  the 
forces  under  his  command,  to  join  him  at  Hoithlewaleeby 
ten  o'clock  the  next  day.  "This  order,"  he  remarked, 
"must  be  obeyed  without  hesitation." — It  was  obeyed. 
The  next  day,  a  junction  having  been  effected,  the  neces- 
sary steps  were  taken  to  bring  down  the  provisions  de- 
posited at  Fort  Decatur,  and  for  the  first  time,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  Creek  war,  inconveniencies  for  the 
want  of  supplies,  and  an  apprehension  of  suffering,  were 
removed. 

Appearances  seemed  now  to  warrant  the  belief,  that  the 
war  would  not  be  of  much  longer  continuance;  the  prin- 
cipal chiefs  of  the  Hickory  ground  tribes  were  coming  in, 
making  professions  of  friendship,  and  giving  assurances 
of  their  being  no  longer  disposed  to  continue  hostilities. 
The  General  had  been  met,  on  his  late  march,  by  a  flag 
from  these  clans,  giving  information  of  their  disposition  to 
be  at  peace.  In  return,  they  received  this  answer;  that 
those  of  the  war  party  who  were  desirous  of  putting  an 
end  to  the  contest  in  which  they  were  engaged,  and  of  be- 
coming friendly,  should  evince  their  intention  of  doing  so 
by  retiring  in  the  rear  of  the  army,  and  settling  themselves 
to  the  north  of  Fort  Williams;  that  no  other  proof  than 
this,  of  their  pacific  dispositions,  Avould  be  received. 
Fourteen  chiefs  of  these  tribes  had  arrived,  to  furnish 
still  further  evidence  of  their  desire  for  peace.     They  as- 


CHAFIER  V.  103 

sured  the  General  that  their  old  king,  Fous-hatchee,  was 
anxious  to  be  permitted  to  visit  him  in  person,  and  was 
then  on  his  way,  with  his  followers,  to  settle  above  Fort 
Williams,  agreeably  to  the  information  he  had  received. 

Detachments  were  out  scouring  the  country  to  the  south, 
with  orders  to  break  up  any  collection  of  the  enemy  that 
might  be  heard  of  in  convenient  distance.  The  main  body 
was  prepared  to  advance  to  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers, 
where,  until  now,  it  had  been  expected  the  Indians  would 
make  a  last  and  desperate  stand.*  Every  thing  was  in 
readiness  to  proceed  on  the  march,  when  it  was  announced 
to  the  General,  that  Colonel  Milton's  brigade,  which  had 
lately  united  with  him,  was  not  in  a  situation  to  move. 
During  the  previous  night  some  of  his  wagon  horses 
having  strayed  off,  persons  had  been  sent  in  pursuit,  and 
were  expected  shortly  to  return  with  them;  when,  it  was 
reported,  he  would  be  ready  to  take  up  the  line  of  march. 
To  Jackson,  this  was  a  reason  for  delaying  the  operations  of 
an  army,  which  he  had  never  learned,  and  by  which  he  had 
never  been  influenced.  He  had,  indeed,  been  frequently 
made  to  halt,  though  from  very  different  causes;  from 
murmurs,  discontents,  and  starvation  in  his  camp.  He 
replied  to  the  colonel's  want  of  preparation,  by  telling  him, 
that  in  the  progress  of  his  own  difficulties,  he  had  dis- 
covered a  very  excellent  mode  of  expediting  wagons,  even 
without  horses;  and  that  if  he  would  detail  twenty  men 
from  his  brigade,  for  every  wagon  deficient  in  horses,  he 
would  guarantee  their  safe  arrival  at  their  place  of  desti- 
nation. Rather  than  subject  his  men  to  such  drudgery,  he 
preferred  to  dismount  some  of  his  dragoons,  and  thus 
avoided  the  necessity  of  halting  the  army  until  his  lost 
teams  should  arrive. 

The  army  continued  its  march  without  gaining  intelli- 
gence of  any  embodied  forces  of  the  enemy;  and  without 
the  happening  of  any  thing  of  importance,  reached  old 
Toulossee  Fort,  on  the  Coosa  river,  not  far  from  the  con- 
fluence, at  which  another  was  determined  to  be  erected, 

*  The  Hickory  gi'ound,  or  that  part  of  the  Creek  nation  lying  in  the 
forks,  neai-  where  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa  unite,  was  called  by  the 
Indians  Holy  Ground,  from  a  tradition  prevailing  among  them,  that  it 
never  had  been  pressed  by  the  foot  of  a  white  man.  Acting  under  the 
influence  of  their  prophets,  and  a  religious  fanaticism,  it  was  supposed 
they  would  make  greater  exertions  to  defend  this  than  any  other  por^^ 
tion  of  their  country. 


104  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

to  be  called  Fort  Jackson,  after  the  commanding  general 
Here  the  rivers  approach  within  one  hundred  poles  of 
each  other,  and,  again  diverging,  unite  six  miles  below. 
At  this  place,  the  chiefs  of  the  different  tribes  were  daily 
arriving,  and  offering  to  submit  on  any  terms.  They  all 
concurred  in  their  statements,  that  those  of  the  hostile 
party  who  were  still  opposed  to  asking  for  peace,  had  fled 
from  the  nation,  and  sought  refuge  along  the  coast  of  Flo- 
rida, and  in  Pensacola.  General  Jackson  renewed  the  de- 
claration, which  he  had  previously  made  to  them;  that 
they  could  find  safety  in  no  other  way,  than  by  repairing  to 
the  section  of  country  already  pointed  out  to  them;  where 
they  might  be  quiet  and  free  of  any  sort  of  molestation. 

To  put  their  friendly  professions,  which  he  distrusted, 
at  once  to  the  test,  he  directed  them  to  bring  Weatherford 
to  his  camp,  confined,  that  he  might  be  dealt  with  as  he 
deserved.  He  was  one  of  the  first  chiefs  of  the  nation, 
and  had  been  a  principal  actor  in  the  butchery  at  Fort 
Mimms.  Justice  well  demanded  retaliation  against  him. 
Learning  from  the  chiefs,  on  their  return,  what  had  been 
required  of  them  by  Jackson,  he  was  prevailed  upon,  as 
perhaps  the  safer  course,  to  proceed  to  his  camp,  and 
make  a  voluntary  surrender  of  himself.  Having  reached 
it,  without  being  kjiown,  and  obtained  admission  to  the 
General's  quarters,  he  fearlessly  stood  in  his  presence  and 
told  him  he  was  Weatherford,  the  chief  who  had  com- 
manded at  fort  Mimms,  and,  that  desiring  peace  for  him- 
self and  for  his  people,  had  come  to  ask  it.  Somewhat 
surprised  that  one  v.  ho  so  richly  merited  punishment 
should  so  sternly  demand  the  protection  which  had  been 
extended  to  others,  Jackson  replied  to  him,  that  he  was 
astonished  he  should  venture  to  appear  in  his  presence; 
that  he  was  not  ignorant  of  his  having  been  at  Fort 
Mimms,  nor  of  his  inhuman  conduct  there,  for  which  he 
well  deserved  to  die.  "I  had  directed,"  continued  he, 
"that  you  should  be  brought  to  me  confined;  and  had 
you  appeared  in  this  way,  I  should  have  known  how  to 
have  treated  you."  Weatherford  replied,  "I  am  in  your 
powei' — do  with  me  as  you  please.  I  am  a  soldier.  I 
have  done  the  white  people  all  the  harm  I  could;  I  have 
fought  them,  and  fought  them  bravely:  if  I  had  an  army, 
I  would  yet  fight,  and  contend  to  the  last:  but  I  have  none ; 
my  people  are  all  gone.  I  can  now  do  no  more  than 
weep  over  the  misfortunes  of  my  nation."     Pleased   at 


CHAPTER  V.  105 

the  firm  and  high-toned  manner  of  this  child  of  the  forest, 
Jackson  informed  him,  that  he  did  not  solicit  him  to  lay 
down  his  arms,  or  to  become  peaceable:  "The  terms  on 
which  your  nation  can  be  saved,  and  peace  restored,  has 
already  been  disclosed:  in  this  way,  and  none  other,  can 
you  obtain  safety."  If,  however,  he  desired  still  to  con- 
tinue the  war,  and  felt  himself  prepared  to  meet  the  con- 
sequences, although  he  was  then  completely  in  his  power, 
no  advantage  should  be  taken  of  that  circumstance;  that 
he  was  at  perfect  liberty  to  retire,  and  unite  himself  with 
the  war  party,  if  he  pleased;  but  when  taken,  his  life 
should  pay  the  forfeit  of  his  crimes;  if  this  were  not  de- 
sired, he  might  remain  where  he  was,  and  be  protected. 

Nothing  dismayed,  Weatherford  answered,  he  desired 
peace,  that  his  nation  might,  in  some  measure,  be  relieved 
from  their  sufferings ;  that,  independent  of  other  misfor- 
tunes, growing  out  of  a  state  of  war,  their  cattle  and  grain 
were  all  wasted  and  destroyed,  and  their  women  and  chil- 
dren left  destitute  of  provisions.  "But,"  continued  he, 
"  I  may  be  well  addressed  in  such  language  now.  There 
w  as  a  time  when  I  had  a  choice,  and  could  have  answered 
you:  I  have  none  now — even  hope  has  ended.  Once  I 
could  animate  my  warriors  to  battle;  but  I  cannot  animate 
the  dead.  My  warriors  can  no  longer  hear  my  voice: 
their  bones  are  at  Talladega,  Tallushatchee,  Emuckfaw, 
and  Tohopeaka.  I  have  not  surrendered  myself  thought- 
lessly. Whilst  there  were  chances  of  success,  I  never  left 
my  post,  nor  supplicated  peace.  But  my  people  are  gone, 
and  I  now  ask  it  for  my  nation,  and  for  myself.  On  the 
miseries  and  misfortunes  brought  upon  my  country,  I  look 
back  with  deepest  sorrow,  and  wish  to  avert  still  greater 
calamities.  If  I  had  been  left  to  contend  with  the  Georgia 
army,  I  would  have  raised  my  corn  on  one  bank  of  the 
river,  and  fought  them  on  the  other;  but  your  people  have 
destroyed  my  nation.  You  are  a  brave  man:  I  rely  upon 
your  generosity.  You  will  exact  no  terms  of  a  conquered 
people  but  such  as  they  should  accede  to:  whatever  they 
may  be,  it  would  now  be  madness  and  folly  to  oppose.  It 
they  are  opposed,  you  shall  find  me  amongst  the  sternest 
enforcers  of  obedience.  Those  who  would  still  hold  out, 
can  be  influenced  only  by  a  mean  spirit  of  revenge;  and  to 
this  they  must  not,  and  shall  not  sacrifice  the  last  remnant 
of  their  country.     You  have  told  our  nation  where  we 


106  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

might  go,  and  be  safe.  This  is  good  talk,  and  they  ought 
to  listen  to  it.     They  shall  listen  to  it." 

The  earnestness  and  bold  independence  of  his  conduct 
left  no  doubt  of  the  sincerity  of  his  professions,  and  full 
confidence  was  reposed  in  his  declarations.  The  peace 
party  became  reconciled  to  him,  and  consented  to  bury  all 
previous  a^^imosities.  In  a  few  days  afterwards,  having 
obtained  permission,  he  set  out  from  camp,  accompanied 
by  a  small  party,  to  search  through  the  forest  for  his  fol- 
lowers and  friends,  and  persuade  them  to  give  up  a  con- 
test, in  which  hope  seemed  to  be  at  an  end,  that  by  timely 
submission,  they  might  save  their  nation  from  further  dis- 
asters. 

The  present  was  a  favourable  moment  for  preventing 
all  further  opposition.  The  enemy,  alarmed  and  panic 
struck,  were  dispersed,  and  fleeing  in  different  directions. 
To  keep  alive  apprehension,  and  prevent  their  recovering 
from  the  fears  with  which  they  were  now  agitated,  was  oi 
the  utmost  importance.  If  time  were  given  them  to  rally, 
and  form  further  resolutions,  some  plan  of  operation  might 
be  concerted;  and  although  it  might  not  be  productive  of 
any  serious  or  alarming  consequences,  yet  it  might  have  a 
tendency  to  protract  the  war,  and  involve  those  deluded 
people  in  still  greater  wretchedness.  Detachments,  suffi- 
ciently strong,  were  accordingly  ordered  out,  to  range 
through  the  country,  prevent  their  collecting  at  any  point, 
and  to  scatter  and  destroy  any  who  might  be  found  con- 
certing offensive  operations.  Wherever  they  directed 
their  course,  submission,  and  an  anxious  desire  for  peace, 
were  manifested  by  the  natives.  Those  who  were  still 
resolved  upon  a  continuance  of  the  war,  and  trusted  for 
relief  to  the  aid  which  by  their  British  allies  was  promis- 
ed, and  which  they  had  been  for  some  time  expecting,  had 
retired  out  of  the  country  towards  the  sea  coast,  not  doubt- 
ing but  the  assistance  looked  for  would  shortly  arrive, 
enable  them  to  re-commence  hostilities  with  better  hopes 
of  success,  and  regain  their  country,  which  they  now  con- 
sidered lost.  Many  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors,  looking  to 
the  defeats  they  had  continually  met  with  in.  all  their  bat- 
tles, viewing  it  as  impracticable  with  any  expectation  of 
better  fortune,  to  resist  the  numerous  forces  that  were  col- 
lecting, and  threatening  at  different  points,  and  anxious  to 
have  spared  to  them  yet  a  portion  of  their  country,  deter- 
mined to  discard  all  ideas  of  further  resistance,  and   to 


CHAPTER  V.  107 

throw  themselves  for  safety  on  the  mercy  of  their  con- 
querors. To  this  end,  the  chief  men,  from  the  different 
tribes,  were  daily  arriving,  and  asking  for  peace,  on  con- 
dition only,  that  their  lives  might  be  spared. 

General  Jackson  was  not  ignorant  of  the  faithlessness 
of  these  people,  and  how  little  confidence  was  to  be  repos- 
ed in  the  professions  of  an  enemy,  who,  prompted  by  fear, 
could  be  controlled  by  its  influence  only  whilst  those  fears 
were  continued.  He  well  knew  they  had  been  too  severely 
chastised  for  their  friendship  or  promises  to  be  implicitly 
relied  on,  and  too  much  injured  not  to  feel  a  disposition  to 
renew  the  conflict  with  the  first  flattering  hope  that  dawn- 
ed. Too  many  difliculties  had  been  encountered,  and  too 
many  dangers  overcome,  in  bringing  those  savages  to  a 
sense  of  duty,  to  leave  them  now  with  no  better  security 
than  miere  professions.  Some  arrangement  was  necessary 
to  be  made^  that  should  prove  lasting,  and  ensure  certainty. 
None  seemed  better  calculated  for  these  ends,  than  what 
had  been  already  announced ;  that  those  disposed  to  throw 
away  the  war  club,  and  renew  their  friendly  relations  with 
the  United  States,  should  retire  in  rear  of  the  advance  of 
the  anny,  and  occupy  the  country  about  the  fort  he  had 
established,  and  east  of  the  Coosa  river.  The  effect  of 
such  an  arrangement,  it  was  calculated,  would  be  this; 
that  by  the  line  of  posts  already  established,  he  would  be 
able  to  cut  them  off*  from  any  communication  with  Florida; 
while,  by  being  placSd  in  that  part  of  the  nation  inhabited 
by  the  friendly  Indians,  whose  fidelity  was  not  doubted, 
the  earliest  intelligence  would  be  had  of  their  hostile  in- 
tentions, should  any  be  manifested.  The  conditions  pro- 
posed w^ere  most  cheerfully  accepted:  and  the  different 
tribes  forthwith  sat  out  to  occupy  a  portion  of  their  country, 
which  alone  seemed  to  promise  protection  and  safety^ 
Proctor,  the  chief  of  the  Owewoha  war  tow-ns,  to  whom 
this  promised  security  from  danger  had  first  been  made, 
was  reported  to  be  still  at  home,  and  to  have  abandoned 
all  intention  of  removing,  in  consequence  of  permission 
extended  by  the  United  States'  agent  to  the  Creeks,  for 
him  and  his  warriors  to  remain  where  they  were.  On  re- 
ceiving this  information,  the  General  despatched  a  mes- 
senger, with  information,  that  whether  he  or  the  agent 
were  to  be  obeyed,  was  for  him  to  decide;  but  that  he 
should  treat  as  enemies  all  who  did  not  immediately  re- 
tire to  the  section  of  country  which  had  been  pointed  out. 


108  LIFE  OF  GENER.\L  JACKSON. 

The  chief  of  Owewoha  found  no  difficulty  in  deciding  the 
question,  and  without  delay  prepared  to  retire  where  he 
had  been  previously  ordered. 

By  the  establishment  of  Fort  Jackson,  a  line  of  posts  was 
now  formed  from  Tennessee  and  from  Georgia  to  the 
Alabama  river.  The  subdued  spirit  of  the  Indians  clearly 
manifesting  that  they  were  sincere  in  their  desire  for  peace, 
nothing  remained  to  be  done  but  to  arrange  and  organize 
the  different  garrisons  in  such  a  manner,  that  should  any 
hostile  intention  be  hereafter  discovered,  it  might  be  sup- 
pressed before  it  could  assume  any  very  threatening 
aspect.  What  final  steps  should  be  taken,  and  what  plans 
adopted,  for  permanent  security,  were  to  be  deferred  for 
the  arrival  of  Major-general  Pinckney,  who,  being  in  the 
neighbourhood,  would,  it  was  expected,  on  the  next  day 
reach  Fort  Jackson. 

On  the  20th  General  Pinckney  arrived,  and  assumed,  in 
person,  the  command  of  the  army.  The  course  pursued 
by  Jackson,  towards  satisfying  the  Indians,  that  to  be 
peaceable  was  all  that  war  required  of  them,  meeting  his 
approbation,  and  understanding  that  Ihe  chiefs  and  war- 
riors of  the  nation  were  retiring,  with  their  families, 
whither  they  had  been  directed  to  go,  he  was  satisfied  hos- 
tilities must  now  cease.  Independent  of  professions,  here- 
tofore made,  much  of  the  property  plundered  at  Fort 
Mimms,  and  along  the  frontiers,  having  been  brought  in 
and  delivered,  no  doubt  was  entertained  but  that  all  further 
national  opposition  would  be  withdrawn.  There  being  no 
necessity,  therefore,  for  maintaining  an  army  longer  in  the 
field,  orders  were  issued,  on  the  21st  April,  for  the  troops 
from  Tennessee  to  be  marched  home  and  discharged ;  tak- 
ing care,  on  the  route,  to  leave  a  sufficient  force  for  gar- 
risoning and  protecting  the  posts  already  established. 

To  troops  who  had  been  engaged  in  such  hasty  and 
fatiguing  marches,  who  had  been  so  much  exposed  to 
hardships  and  dangers,  and  who  had  now,  by  their  zealous 
exertions  in  the  cause  of  their  country,  brought  a  war  to 
a  successful  termination,  and  severely  chastised  the  sava- 
ges for  unprovoked  outrages  upon  their  defenceless  fron- 
tiers, it  was  a  pleasure  to  retire  to  their  homes  from  the 
scenes  of  wretchedness  they  had  witnessed,  and  from  a 
contest,  where  every  thing  being  performed,  nothing 
remained  to  be  done.  It  was  a  cheering  reflection  to  those 
Iwave  men,  that,  their  trials  being  over,  they  were  retiring 


CHAPTER  V.  109 

to  their  families  and  homes,  and  carrying  with  them  that 
sweetest  and  happiest  of  all  consolations  to  a  war-worn 
soldier's  mind,  that,  in  the  trying  and  difficult  situations 
in  which  they  had  been  placed,  they  had  acted  with 
honour  to  themselves,  and  with  usefulness  and  fidelity  to 
their  country. 

Whilst  these  arrangements  were  progressing,  the  friend- 
ly Creeks  were  engaged  in  pursuing  and  destroying  their 
fugitive  countrymen  with  the  most  unrelenting  rigour. 
To  have  been  at  the  destruction  of  Fort  Mimms,  was  a 
ground  of  accusation  against  a  warrior,  v,  hich  at  once 
placed  him  without  the  pale  of  mercy.^  They  viewed,  or 
affected  to  view,  this  unwarranted  and  unprovoked  ofience 
with  sentiments  of  deeper  inveteracy  than  did  even  our 
own  troops.  Meeting  a  small  party  who  were  on  their 
way  to  camp,  to  submit  themselves  on  the  terms  that  had 
been  previously  offered,  and  understanding  they  had 
accompanied  Weatherford,  in  his  attack  on  this  fort,  they 
arrested  their  progress,  and  immediately  put  them  to 
death.  To  permit  a  course  of  conduct  like  this,  was  vrell 
calculated  to  keep  alive  the  timid  apprehensions  of  the 
Indians,  and  induce  them  to  consider  the  proffered  terms 
of  peace  which  Jackson  had  presented,  as  a  stratagem  to 
hire  them  into  danger,  and  effect  their  destruction:  sensi- 
ble of  this,  prompt  and  immediate  steps  were  taken  by  the 
commanding  general  to  prevent  its  again  recurring. 

That  people  of  the  same  nation  should  be  found  mar- 
shalled in  opposition  to  each  other,  is  not  a  matter  of  sur- 
prise, on  the  principles  and  practice  of  modern  warfare, 
which  affects  to  prove  it  right  to  seize  on  any  circum- 
stance that  may  operate  prejudicially  to  an  enemy;  but  the 
patriot,  whose  bosom  swells  with  love  of  country,  must 
ever  view  it  with  abhorrence:  and  although,  from  necessity 
or  policy,  he  may  be  compelled  to  avail  himself  of  the 
advantages  afforded  by  such  a  circumstance,  he  can  never 
be  induced  either  to  approve  or  justify  it.  Although  the 
war  had  been  commenced  in  opposition  to  the  views  and 
wishes  of  the  friendly  party,  yet  it  was  their  duty  to  have 
united.  Entering  the  ranks  of  an  invading  army,  and 
figiiting  for  the  extermination  of  their  people,  and  the 
destruction  of  their  nation,  is  a  circumstance  which  pre- 
sents them  in  the  character  of  traitors  to  their  country, 
and  meriting  the  severest  punishment. 

In  two  hours  after  receiving  General  Pinckney's  order, 

K 


I  10  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  troops  commenced  their  return  march,  and  reached 
Fort  Williams  on  the  evening  of  the  24th.  Immediate 
measures  were  adopted  for  carrying  into  effect  what  had 
been  ordered;  to  send  out  detachments  to  assail  and  dis- 
perse any  collections  of  the  war  party  that  might  be  found 
on  the  route,  and  within  striking  distance. 

The  East  Tennessee  troops  having  a  longer  period  to 
serve,  were,  on  that  account,  selected  to  garrison  the 
different  posts.  General  Doherty  was  accordingly  directed 
to  detail  from  his  brigade  seven  hundred  and  twenty-five 
men,  for  the  defence  of  those  points,  with  a  view  to  an 
open  communication  being  preserved  with  Fort  Jackson, 
and  to  secure  more  effectually,  a  peace,  which,  being  sup- 
posed for  the  present  to  be  founded  on  the  fears  and  dis- 
tresses of  the  war  party,  was  perhaps  not  so  securely  and 
firmly  established  as  that  any  necessary  and  precautionary 
measure  should  be  omitted. 

General  Jackson  being  now  about  to  separate  from  his 
army,  did  not  omit  to  disclose  to  them  the  high  sense  he 
entertained  of  their  conduct,  and  how  well  they  had  deserv- 
ed of  their  country.  "  Within  a  few  days,"  said  he,  "  you 
have  annihilated  the  power  of  a  nation  that  for  twenty  years 
has  been  the  disturber  of  your  peace.  Your  vengeance  has 
been  satisfied.  Wherever  these  infuriated  allies  of  our 
archenemy  assembled  for  battle,  you  pursued  and  dispersed 
them.  The  rapidity  of  your  movements,  and  the  brilliancy 
of  your  achievements,  have  corresponded  with  the  valour 
by  which  you  have  been  animated.  The  bravery  you  have 
displayed  in  the  field  of  battle,  and  the  uniform  good  con- 
duct you  have  manifested  in  your  encampment,  and  on  your 
line  of  march,  will  long  be  cherished  in  the  memory  of 
your  general,  and  will  not  be  forgotten  by  the  country 
which  you  have  so  materially  benefited." 

The  constant  and  rapid  movements  of  the  troops  for  the 
time  they  had  been  in  service,  had  greatly  exposed  them; 
and  although  many  hardships  had  been  encountered,  yet 
their  duty  had  been  performed  without  murmuring.  A 
retrospect  of  the  last  month  will  show,  that  more  could 
scarcely  have  been  done.  Fort  Williams  was  reached  just 
four  weeks  from  the  time  they  had  left  it,  on  the  expedition 
to  Tohopeka,  where  they  had  met  and  conquered  the 
enemy;  whence,  retuniing,  not  v/ith  a  view  to  obtain  rest, 
but  to  recruit  the  exhausted  state  of  their  provisions,  in 
one  week  was  this  same  army  on  its  way  to  Hoithlcwalee, 


CHAPTER    V.  I  1  I 

where,  supported  and  encouraged  by  their  prophets,  was 
collected  the  strength  of  the  nation.  To  this  point  did  they 
urge  forward,  over  mountains,  and  through  torrents  of 
continual  rain,  that  rendered  the  route  almost  impassable; 
and  reached  and  destroyed,  on  the  14th,  a  town  which  the 
inspired  men  of  the  nation  had  declared  was  consecrated, 
and  on  which*no  white  man  was  ever  to  be  permitted  to 
tread  with  impunity.  On  the  17th,  they  are  found  at  the 
confluence  of  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  treading  still  this 
consecrated  soil,  and  driving  the  panic-struck  savages 
before  them;  and  again,  on  the  24th,  are  at  Fort  Williams, 
retiring  to  their  homes,  from  the  labours  they  had  encoun- 
tered, and  from  the  conquests  they  had  gained.  In  such 
celerity  of  movement,  is  to  be  found  the  cause  which 
secured  to  Jackson  and  his  army  the  imiform  successes 
they  obtained.  So  rapid  were  his  marches,  that  not 
unfrequently  was  he  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  enemy 
before  they  had  received  any  intelligence  of  his  approach  ; 
in  addition  to  this,  was  attached  to  him  the  quality,  that 
few  generals  ever  possessed  in  a  higher  degree,  of  inspir- 
ing firmness  in  his  ranks,  and  making  even  the  timid  brave. 
An  entire  confidence  of  success,  a  full  assurance  of  victory, 
and  a  fearlessness  and  disregard  of  danger,  were  the  feel- 
ings displayed  by  himself  in  all  difficult  situations,  and 
those  feelings  he  possessed  the  happy  faculty  of  inspiring 
to  others,  and  of  diffusing  through  his  army. 

Whether  any  of  the  hostile  party  were  yet  on  the  Co- 
hawba,  or  had  fled  for  safety  to  the  British  and  Spaniards 
at  Pensacola,  was  uncertain.  To  ascertain  this,  to  dis- 
perse them,  and  destroy  their  villages.  General  Johnson 
was  despatched,  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  men,  with 
orders  to  proceed  along  this  river  to  its  head  branches, 
effect  the  object  so  far  as  it  was  practicable,  and  re-unite 
with  the  main  army  at  Deposit  Jackson  reported  to 
General  Pinckney,  that  his  orders  had  been  complied  with; 
.that  four  hundred  troops  had  been  detailed  for  the  protec- 
tion of  Fort  Williams,  and  that  he  would  leave  at  the  other 
points  a  force  correspondent  to  their  exposed  situations. 
"The  remainder  of  my  troops,"  he  continues,  "I  shall 
march  to  Tennessee,  where  I  shall  discharge  them :  after 
which,  I  shall  no  longer  consider  myself  accountable  for 
the  manner  in  which  the  posts  may  be  defended,  or  the 
line  of  communication  kept  open; — happy  that  the  time 
for  which  I  offered  my  services  to  my  government,  and 


1  12  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  duties  which  they  assigned  me  to  perform,  will  hava 
terminated  together." 

The  army  proceeded  on  its  march,  and  crossing  Ten- 
nessee river,  in  safety  reached  Camp  Blount,  near  Fayette- 
viHe,  where  they  were  discharged  from  further  service, 
Johnston,  who  had  previously  fallen  in,  had  destroyed 
some  of  the  enemy's  towns;  but  had  learned  nothing  of  a 
force  being  any  where  embodied  along  the  route  he  had 
taken. 

At  parting  with  his  troops,  the  general  again  brought 
before  them  the  recollection  he  retained  of  their  faithful 
and  gallant  conduct,  and  the  patience  with  which  they  had 
borne  the  privations  and  hardships  of  war.  On  his  return, 
wherever  he  passed,  the  plaudits  of  the  people  were  liber- 
ally bestowed.  The  ardent  and  extraordinary  zeal  he  had 
manifested  in  the  service  of  his  country,  the  difficulties  he 
had  surmounted,  with  the  favourable  termination,  which, 
by  his  exertions,  had  been  given  to  a  contest  that  had  kept 
alive  the  anxieties  and  fears  of  the  frontier  settlers,  excited 
a  general  feeling  of  gratitude  and  admiration;  all  were 
ready  to  evince  the  high  sense  they  entertained  of  the 
success  with  which  every  effort  had  been  crowned,  and 
with  one  accord  united  in  manifesting  their  confidence  and 
respect  for  him,  who^  by  his  zealous  exertions,  able  man- 
agement, and  fidelity  to  the  cause  in  which  he  had  embarked, 
had  so  essentially  contributed  to  the  safety,  the  happiness, 
and  quiet  of  the  country. 


■■•••*♦©  ^5  O^*"  •■ ' 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Jackson  h  appointed  a  major-general  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States. — Is  directed  to  open  a  negotiation  with  the  Indians. — Speech 
of  the  Big  Waiiior,  a  chief  of  the  nation. — Concludes  a  treaty  with , 
the  Creek  Indians. — His  views  against  Pensacola  and  Florida. — 
General  Araistiong^s  letter. — The  Spanish  governor  is  called  on  for 
an  explanation  of  his  conduct. — His  answer,  and  General  Jackson's 
reply. — The  adjutant-general  is  despatclied  to  Tennessee  to  r^se 
volunteei-s. — Jackson  sets  ovit  for  Mobile. — Orders  the  Tennessee 
troops  to  advance. 

If  Jackson  had  been  enabled,  after  his  first  battle  with 
the  enemy,  to  prosecute  the  campaign,  it  might  have  had  a 


CHAPTER    VI.  113 

much  earlier  conclusion ;  but  although  he  had,  at  the  onset, 
obtained  advantages  from  which  benefits  might  have  arisen, 
yet,  from  the  want  of  proper  exertions  on  the  part  of  the 
contractors,  he  was  halted,  and  compelled  to  retrace  his 
steps  back  to  his  first  position.  From  the  delays  here 
unavoidably  met  with,  flowed  those  grievances  which  gave 
a  check  to  further  active  operations.  The  winter,  against 
which  his  troops  were  ill  provided  was  fast  approaching; 
hardships,  and  hunger,  which  were  already  pressing,  with 
a  long  fatiguing  campaign  in  prospect,  presented  imagi- 
nary difficulties,  and  excited  discontents,  which  presently 
broke  out  into  open  mutiny;  and  although  the  intention  of 
the  volunteers,  to  desert  the  service,  and  retire  home,  had 
been  prevented  by  the  stern  and  resolute  conduct  of  the 
general,  yet  were  they  thereby  unfitted  for  the  dutiife  of 
the  field,  because  entire  confidence  was  no  longer  to  be 
reposed.  To  venture  v,  ith  such  troops,  Avho,  whilst  the 
tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  were  uplifted,  to  wreak 
vengeance  on  our  devoted  frontiers,  w^ere  coolly  construing 
the  effect  and  meaning  of  laws,  was  too  unsafe  a  reliance 
for  a  commander  whose  first  object  was  to  impress  on  the 
minds  of  the  savages  the  determination  and  strength  of  the 
government  he  represented.  It  was  adventuring  too  largely; 
ifor,  should  defeat  result,  the  difficulty  of  drawing  a  nev/ 
army  to  the  field,  would  be  increased;  whilst  that  self-con- 
fidence in  troops,  so  necessary  to  complete  success,  would 
essentially  be  lost.  It  was  believed  to  be  the  safer  course, 
to  permit  his  discontented  volunteers  to  depart,  and  await 
the  arrival  of  another  force.  These  circumstances  had  a 
tendency  to  encourage  the  Indians,  and  protract  the  war. 
Had  the  volunteers  proceeded  with  the  animation  and 
bravery  which  characterized  them  in  the  battle  they  had 
just  fought,  they  would  have  gradually  acquired  a  confi- 
dence calculated  to  render  them  an  overmatch  for  Indian 
valour  and  cunning;  whilst  by  one  further  successful  effort, 
they  might  have  dispirited  the  enemy,  and  ended  the  cam- 
paign. But  the  arrival  of  a  different  description  of  troops, 
and  the  confusion  into  which  they  w^ere  thrown  at  the 
battle  of  Enotichopco,  had  encouraged  the  savages,  and 
induced  them  to  think  the  contest  by  no  means  hazardous. 
The  despondency  which  had  resulted  from,  their  previous 
defeats,  was  from  that  moment  forgotten;  and,  again 
inspirited,  they  looked  to  the  accomplishment  of  their 
object  with  hopes  of  certainty  even  greater  than  before. 
K  2 


114  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

Perhaps,  however,  it  was  fortunate  that  events  transpired 
in  the  way  they  did.  Had  peace  been  restored  in  conse- 
quence of  early  fears  excited,  it  might  have  lasted  only  un- 
til a  favourable  opportunity  occurred  of  again  breaking  it; 
but  the  war  having  continued,  until  the  hopes,  the  strength, 
and  spirit  of  the  nation  were  exhausted,  nothing  serious  is 
now  to  be  apprehended  from  any  hostile  disposition  that 
mav  hereafter  be  manifested.  Other  advantages  will  also 
result.  The  uniform  and  uninterrupted  successes  obtain- 
ed over  them  in  all  our  battles,  may  impress  the  Indiana 
generally  within  our  limits,  with  a  higher  reverence  for 
the  character  of  our  nation  than  they  have  hitherto  been 
disposed  to  entertain;  give  protection  to  our  citizens,  and 
ensure  that  security  to  the  government,  which  the  mild- 
nesa^it  has  practised,  and  the  tribute  it  has  constantly 
given  for  their  peace^  has,  heretofore,  never  been  able  to 
effect;  they  will  tend  to  destroy  the  influence  held  over 
them  by  other  nations,  and  bring  them  to  a  conviction,  that 
the  United  States  is  the  only  power  whose  hostility  they 
should  fear,  or  whose  friendship  they  should  prize. 

It  w  as  now  eight  months  since  General  Jackson  had  left 
his  home,  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  Indian  war;  during 
most  of  which  time  he  had  been  in  a  situation  of  bodily  in- 
firmity, that  would  have  directed  a  prudent  man  to  his 
bed,  instead  of  advancing  to  the  field.  During  this  period, 
he  had  never  seen  his  family,  or  been  absent  from  the 
army,  except  to  visit  the  posts  in  his  rear,  and  arrange 
with  his  contractors  some  certain  plan  to  guard  against  a 
future  failure  of  supplies.  His  health  was  still  delicate, 
and  rendered  retirement  essential  to  its  restoration;  but 
his  uniformly  successful  and  good  conduct,  and  the  essen- 
tial advantages  he  had  produced,  had  brought  him  too  con- 
spicuous4y  before  the  public,  for  any  other  sentiment  to  be 
indulged,  than  that  he  should  be  placed,  with  an  impor- 
tant command,  in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

The  resignation  of  General  Hampton  enabled  the  govern- 
ment, in  a  short  time,  to  afford  to  him  an  evidence  of  the 
respect  it  entertained  for  his  services  and  character.  A 
notice  of  his  appointment  as  brigadier  and  brevet  major- 
general,  was  forwarded  on  the  22d  of  May,  from  the  war 
department.  General  Harrison  having,  about  this  time, 
become  dissatisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the  government, 
refused  to  be  longer  considered  one  of  her  military  actors; 
to  supply  which  vacancy,  a  commission  of  major-general 


CHAPTER  VI.  115 

was  forwarded  to  Jackson,  which  reached  him  the  day  after 
the  notification  of  his  first  appointment,  and  before  he  had 
been  enabled  to  return  an  answer  whether  or  not  it  would 
be  accepted.  The  important  services  which  he  had  ren- 
dered, added  to  the  rank  which,  under  the  authority  of  his 
state,  he  held,  might  well  induce  a  doubt  whether  the  ap- 
pointment first  conferred,  was  at  all  complimentary,  or 
one  which,  in  justice  to  his  own  character,  he  could  have 
accepted.  Whatever  of  objection  could  have  arisen,  on 
this  subject,  was  removed  by  the  subsequent  appointment 
of  major-general,  made  on  the  resignation  of  Harrison,  and 
which  was  accepted.  • 

The  contest  with  the  Indians  being  ended,  the  first  and 
principal  object  of  the  government  was,  to  enter  into  some 
definitive  arrangement  which  should  deprive  of  success 
any  effort  that  might  hereafter  be  made,  by  other  powers, 
to  enlist  those  savages  in  their  wars.  None  was  so  well 
calculated  to  answer  this  end,  as  that  of  restricting  their 
limits,  so  as  to  cut  off  their  communication  with  British 
and  Spanish  agents  in  East  and  West  Florida. 

No  treaty  of  friendship  or  of  boundary  had  yet  been  en- 
tered into  with  the  Indians:  they  remained  a  conquered 
people,  and  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  subject 
to  the  regulations  rnd  restrictions  which  had  been  pre- 
scribed in  March,  by  General  Jackson,  when  he  retired 
from  their  country.  He  was  by  the  government,  now 
called  upon  to  act  in  a  new  and  different  character,  and  to 
negotiate  the  terms  upon  which  an  amicable  understand- 
ing should  be  restored  between  the  United  States  and  the 
conquered  Indians.  But  for  the  government  to  proceed 
on  the  principles  of  equal  and  reciprocal  treaty  stipula- 
tion, was,  in  reference  to  the  expensive  war  imposed  on 
them,  and  the  unprovoked  manner  in  which  it  had  been 
begun,  not  to  be  expected.  The  Indians  had  broken, 
without  cause,  the  treaty  they  had  made,  outraged  huma- 
nity, and  murdered  our  unoffending  citizens.  Under  such 
circumstances,  by  the  peace  to  be  concluded,  to  negotiate 
with,  and  as  heretofore  recognize  them  as  an  independent 
and  sovereign  people,  comported  not  with  propriety,  nor 
was  it  demanded  by  any,  the  ties  of  moral  duty.  General 
Jackson,  therefore,  was  directed  to  treat  with  them  as  a 
conquered  people,  and  to  prescribe,  not  negotiate,  the 
terms  and  conditions  of  a  peace.     Colonel  Hawkins,  who, 


1  16  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

for  a  considerable  time  past,  had  been  the  agent  to  this 
nation,  was  also  associated  in  the  mission. 

On  the  10th  of  July,  the  General,  with  a  small  retinue, 
reached  the  Alabama;  and  on  the  10th  of  August,  after 
some  difficulty,  succeeded  in  procuring  the  execution  of  a 
treaty,  in  which  the  Indians  pledged  themselves  no  more 
to  listen  to  foreign  emissaries,-^to  hold  no  communication 
with  British  or  Spanish  garrisons;  guaranteed  to  the 
United  States  the  right  of  erecting  milkary  posts  in  their 
country,  and  a  free  navigation  of  all  their  waters.  They 
stipulated  also,  that  they  would  suffer  no  agent  or  trader  to 
pass  among  them,  or  hold  any  kind  •f  commerce  or  inter- 
course with  their  nation,  unless  specially  deriving  his  au- 
thority from  the  president  of  the  United  States. 

The  exactions  of  this  treaty  were  in  conformity  with  in- 
structions issued  from  the  department  of  war,  and  differ  in 
expression  from  what  has  been  usually  contained  in  instru- 
ments of  a  similar  kind.  It  breathes  the  language  of  de- 
mand, not  contract  and  agreement;  and  hence  has  General 
Jackson  been  censured  for  the  manner  after  which  the  ne- 
gotiation was  concluded.  The  course,  however,  which 
was  pursued,  is  really  justified  by  the  terms  and  expres- 
sions of  the  order  under  which  he  acted,  and  which  pre- 
vented the  exercise  of  discretion.  General  Armstrong, 
who  at  that  time  was  in  the  cabinet,  and  spoke  the  senti- 
ments of  the  president,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Jackson  on 
the  24th  of  March,  uses  the  following  remarks.  "It  has 
occurred  to  me,  that  the  proposed  treaty  with  the  Creeks, 
should  take  a  form  altogether  military,  and  be  in  the  na- 
ture of  a  capitulation;  in  which  case,  the  whole  authority 
of  making  and  concluding  the  terms,  will  be  in  you  exclu- 
sively as  commanding  general.'*  Accompanying  which 
were  instructions  formally  drawn  up,  and  v/hich  were  to 
constitute  the  basis  on  which  the  negotiation  was  to  resu* 


•  Mr.  Clay,  speaker  of  the  house,  in  1819,  pending  the  General's 
controversy,  severely  assailed  Generul  Jackson,  on  account  of  the  au- 
thoritative  tone  contained  in  the  ti'eaty  of  Fort  Jackson.  Having  Litcly 
returned  from  his  Client  mission,  his  opinion  was,  tliat  there  was  not 
enough  of  courtly  etiquette  employed  in  the  phraseolog)'  of  the 
treaty;  and  that  towards  these  murdering,  scalping,  and  conquered  sa- 
vages, every  thing  of  friendly  reciprocity  sliould  have  been  employed, 
as  with  the  most  civilized  nations  of  the  world.  The  censure  thus  im- 
posed v/as  ill-placed,  and  knowingly  so.  What  General  Jackson  mig-ht 
have  done,  acting  upon  his  own  responsibility,  c;mnot  be  known,  and 


CHAPTER  VL  [If 

Without  violence  to  those  feelings  benevolence  excites, 
the  United  States  might  have  demanded  their  country, 
and  either  have  treated  the  Indians  as  vassals,  and  subjected 
them  to  legislative  control,  or  admitted  them  into  their 
national  compact,  with  such  rights  of  citizenship,  as,  from 
their  peculiar  habits  of  life,  they  were  calculated  safely  to 
enjoy;  but  the  humane  and  generous  policy  which  had 
been  maintained  in  all  transactions  with  the  savages  with- 
in their  limits,  induced  the  government  to  require  in  the 
cession,  only  such  portion  of  their  country  as  might  have  a 
tendency  to  bar  every  avenue  to  foreign  intrigue,  and  give 
additional  strength  to  those  sections  of  the  union,  which, 
from  their  limited  extent  of  territory,  and  limited  popula- 
tion, were  unable  to  afford  sufficient  supplies  for  the  sub- 
sistence of  an  army,  or  give  a  partial  check  to  the  inroads 
of  an  invading  enemy.  The  lines  defined  by  the  treaty 
were  so  arranged  as  fully  to  meet  these  objects.  Sufficient 
territory  was  acquired  on  the  south  to  give  security  to  the 
Mobile  settlements,  and  to  the  western  borders  of  Georgia, 
which  had  often  felt  the  stroke  of  Indian  vengeance  and 
cruelty ;  while  at  the  same  time,  was  effected,  the  impor- 
tant purpose  of  separating  them  from  the  Seminole  tribes 
and  our  unfriendly  neighbours  in  Florida.  To  the  fron- 
tiers of  Tennessee,  an  assurance  of  safety  was  given  by 

need  not  be  inquired  after,  inasmuch  as  he  had  no  discretion;  and  be- 
cause the  orders  of  General  Armstrong,  then  secretary  of  war,  not 
merely  authorised,  but  dii'ected  him  to  treat  with  the  Indians  as  a  con- 
quered people,  and  not  upon  terms  of  reciprocity.  The  instructions 
given  by  the  secretary  of  war,  as  to  die  conditions  after  which  a  treaty 
should  be  concluded,  arc  as  follows: 

1st.  An  indemnification  for  expenses  incurred  by  the  United  States 
in  prosecuting  the  war,  by  such  cession  of  land  as  may  be  deemed  an 
equivalent  for  said  expenses. 

2d.  A  stipulation  on  their  part  that  they  will  cease  all  intercourse 
with  any  Spanish  port,  garrison,  or  town;  and  that  they  will  not  admit 
amongst  them  any  agent  or  trader  who  does  not  derive  his  authority  or 
license  from  the  United  States, 

3d.  An  acknowledgment  of  the  right  of  the  United  States  to  open 
roads  through  their  temtory;  and  also  to  establish  such  military  posts 
and  trading  houses  as  may  be  deemed  necessary'  and  proper;  and 

*4tli.  A  surrender  of  the  prophets  and  other  instigators  of  the  war,  to 
be  held  subject  to  the  order  of  the  preadent. 

You  are  authorized,  in  conjunction  with  Colonel  Hawkins,  to  open 
and  conclude  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  hostile  Creeks,  as  soon  as 
they  shall  express  a  desire  to  put  an  end  to  the  war. 

J.  ARMSTRONG, 


I  18  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  settlements  which  would  be  afforded  on  the  lands 
stretching  along  the  Tennessee  river ;  whilst  the  extent  of 
the  cession,  west  of  the  Coosa,  would  effectually  eject  all 
communication  with  the  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws,  and 
prevent  the  passage  of  those  emissaries  from  the  north- 
western tribes,  who,  during  the  present  war,  had  so  in- 
dustriously fomented  the  discontents  of  the  Creeks,  and 
excited  them  to  hostility.  It  is  a  happy  consideration, 
that  while  these  advantages  were  obtained,  no  material  in- 
jury Avas  done  those  vanquished  people.  Their  country 
presented  none  of  those  inducements  to  the  hunter,  which 
could,  as  heretofore  be  relied  on  with  certainty;  while,  for 
all  the  purposes  of  agriculture,  the  part  reserved  for  them, 
was  more  than  sufficient  for  fifty  times  the  population 
which  their  nation  contained.  It  may  appear  plausible  in 
theory,  but  practice  will  always  disprove  the  idea,  that  the 
civilization  of  Indians  can  be  effected,  wl)ilst,  scattered 
through  an  immense  wilderness,  they  are  left  to  pursue 
their  vagrant,  wandering,  habits  of  life.  Inured  to  pecu- 
liar manners,  from  their  earliest  period,  it  certainly  would 
not  answer  to  innovate  at  once  upon  their  ancient  customs; 
but,  were  their  extensive  wilds  gradually  reduced,  so,  in 
proportion,  would  the  benefits  resulting  from  hunting, 
and  wandering  through  the  forest,  subside,  until  prompted 
by  necessity,  they*  would  resort  to  industry  and  agricul- 
ture, as  the  only  certain  and  lasting  mean  of  support,  and 
thus  imperceptibly  be  forced  into  a  different  and  more  ad- 
vantageous course  of  life. 

Unwilling  to  resort  to  any  other  mode  of  living  than  that 
to  which  they  had  been  always  accustomed;  and  satisfied 
that  the  means  of  subsistence  would  be  lost  in  the  surren- 
der of  their  country,  they  remained  obstinately  opposed 
to  every  arrangement.  Before  being  finally  acted  upon, 
the  treaty  had  been  fully  debated  in  council,  and  the  voice 
of  the  nation  pronounced  against  it.  Jackson  had  sub- 
mitted the  views  of  his  government,  and  now  met  them  in 
council,  to  learn  their  determination.  He  was  answered 
by  the  Big  Warrior,  a  friendly  chief,  and  one  of  the  first 
orators  of  the  nation,  who  declared  the  reluctance  that  was 
felt,  in  yielding  to  his  demand,  from  a  conviction  of  th£ 
consequences  involved,  and  the  distresses  it  must  inevi- 
tably bring  upon  them.  The  firm  and  dignified  eloquence 
of  this  untutored  orator,  evinced  a  nerve  and  force  of  ex- 
pression, that  might  not  have  passed  unnoticed,  had  it 


CHAPTER  VI.  419 

been  exhibited  before  a  more  highly  polished  assembly: 
the  conclusion  of  his  speech  is  given,  for  the  satisfaction 
of  such  as  can  mark  the  bold  display  of  savage  genius,  and 
admire  it  when  discovered.  Having  unfolded  the  causes 
which  produced  the  war,  told  of  their  sufferings,  and 
admitted  that  they  had  been  preserved  alone  by  the  army 
which  had  hastened  to  their  assistance,  he  urged,  that 
although  in  justice,  it  might  be  required  of  them  to  defray, 
by  a  transfer  of  a  portion  of  their  country,  the  expenses 
incurred,  yet  was  the  demand  premature,  because  the  war 
was  not  ended,  nor  the  war  party  conquered;  they  had 
only  fled  away,  and  might  yet  return.  He  portrayed  the 
habits  of  the  Indians,  and  how  seriously  they  would  be 
affected  by  the  required  surrender,  and  thus  concluded: 

"The  president,  our  father,  advises  us  to  hone&ty  and 
fairness,  and  promises  that  justice  shall  be  done:  I  hope 
and  trust  it  will  be !  I  made  this  war,  which  has  proved 
8o  fatal  to  my  country,  that  the  treaty  entered  into  a  long 
time  ago,  with  father  Washington,  might  not  be  broken. 
To  his  friendly  arm  I  hold  fast.  I  will  never  break  that 
bright  chain  of  friendship  we  made  together,  and  which 
bound  us  to  stand  to  the  United  States.  He  was  a  father 
lo  the  Muscoga  people;  and  not  only  to  them,  but  to  all 
the  people  beneath  the  sun.  His  talk  I  now  hold  in  my 
hand.  There  sits  the  agent  he  sent  among  us.  Never 
has  he  broken  the  treaty.  He  has  lived  with  us  a  long 
time.  He  has  seen  our  children  born,  who  now  have  chil- 
dren. By  his  direction,  cloth  was  wove,  and  clothes  were 
made,  and  spread  through  our  country;  but  the  JRed Sticks 
came,  and  destroyed  all, — we  have  none  now.  Hard  is 
our  situation,  and  you  ought  to  consider  it.  I  state  what 
all  the  nation  knows :  nothing  will  I  keep  secret. 

"There  stands  the  Little  Warrior.  While  we  were 
seeking  to  give  satisfaction  for  the  murders  that  had  been 
committed,  he  proved  a  mischief-maker;  he  went  to  the 
British  on  the  lakes;  he  came  back,  and  brought  a  package 
to  the  frontiers,  which  increased  the  murders  here.  This 
conduct  has  already  made  the  war  party  to  suffer  greatly: 
but,  although  almost  destroyed,  they  v/ill  not  yet  open 
their  eyes,  but  are  still  led  away  by  the  British  at  JPcnsa- 
cola.  Not  so  with  us:  we  were  rational,  and  had  our 
senses — we  yet  are  so.  In  the  war  of  the  revolution, 
our  father  beyond  the  waters  encouraged  us  to  join  him, 
and  Vie  did  so.     We  had  no  sense  then.    The  promises  he 


120  tlFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON 

made  were  never  kept  We  were  young  and  foolish,  and 
fought  with  him.  The  British  can  no  more  persuade  us 
to  do  wrong:  they  have  deceived  us  once,  and  can  deceive 
us  no  more.  You  are  two  great  people.  If  you  go  to 
war,  we  will  have  no  concern  in  it;  for  we  are  not  able  to 
fight.  We  wish  to  be  at  peace  with  every  nation.  If  they 
offer  me  arms,  I  will  say  to  them,  You  put  me  in  danger, 
to  war  against  a  people  born  in  our  own  land.  They  shall 
never  force  us  into  danger.  You  shall  never  see  that  our 
chiefs  are  boys  in  council,  who  will  be  forced  to  do  any 
thing.  I  talk  thus,  knowing  that  father  Washington 
advised  us  never  to  interfere  in  wars.  He  told  us  that  those 
in  peace  were  the  happiest  people.  He  told  us,  that  if  an 
enemy  attacked  him,  he  had  warriors  enough,  and  did  not 
wish  his  red  children  to  help  him.  If  the  British  advise 
us  to  any  thing,  I  will  tell  you — not  hide  it  from  you.  If 
they  say  we  must  fight,  I  will  tell  them.  No!'* 

The  war  party  being  not  entirely  subdued,  was  but  a 
pretext  to  avoid  the  demands  which  were  made;  presum- 
ing that  if  the  council  could  break  up,  without  any  thing 
being  definitely  done,  they  might,  in  part,  or  perhaps 
altogether,  avoid  what  v/as  now  required  of  them  to  do;  but 
the  inflexibility  of  the  person  with  whom  they  were  treating, 
evinced,  that  hov/ever  just  and  well  founded  might  be  their 
objections,  the  policy  under  which  he  acted  was  too  clearly 
defined,  for  any  abandonment  of  his  demands  to  be  at  all 
calculated  upon.  Shelocta,  a  chief,  v/ho  had  united  with 
our  troops  at  the  commencement  of  the  war;  marched  and 
fought  with  them  in  all  their  battles;  and  who  had  attached 
to  himself  strongly  the  confidence  of  the  commanding 
general,  now  addressed  him.  He  told  him  of  the  regard 
he  had  ever  felt  for  his  white  brothers,  and  with  what  zeal 
he  had  exerted  himself  to  preserve  peace,  and  to  remain  in 
friendship;  when  his  efforts  had  failed,  he  had  taken  up 
arms  against  his  country,  and  fought  against  his  own  peo- 
ple; that  he  was  not  opposed  to  yielding  the  lands  lying  on 
the  Alabama,  v.hich  would  answer  the  purpose  of  cutting 
off  any  intercourse  with  the  Spaniards;  but  the  country 
west  of  the  Coosa  he  v/ished  to  be  preserved  to  the  nation.* 
To  effect  this,  he  appealed  to  the  feelings  of  Jackson;  told 
him  of  the  dangers  they  had  passed  together;  and  of  his 

'  This  country  west  of  the  Coosa  now  loirns  the  respectable  stale 
of  Alabaitia,  admitted  into  the  U:iion  in  the  year  1829 


CHAPTER  VI.  121 

faithfulness,  in  the  trying  scenes  through  which  they  had 
gone. 

There  were,  indeed,  none  whose  voice  ought  sooner  to 
have  been   heard  than  Shelocta's.     None   had  rendered 
greater  services,  and  none  had  been  more  faithful.    He  had 
claims,  growing  out  of  his  fidelity,  that  few  others  had : 
but  his  wishes  were  so  much  at  variance  with  what  Jack- 
son considered  the  interest  of  his  country  required,  that  he 
was  answered  without  hesitation.      *'  You  know,"  said  he, 
"  that  the  portion  of  country  which  you  desire  to  retain,  is 
that  through  which  the  intruders  and  mischief-makers  from 
the  lakes  reached  you,  and  urged  your  nation  to  those  acts 
of  violence  that  have  involved  your  people  in  wretchedness, 
and  your  country  in  ruin.     Thrpugh  it  leads  the  path 
Tecumseh  trod,  when  he  came  to  visit  you:  that  path  must 
be  stopped.     UntiJ  this  be  done,  your  nation  cannot  expect 
happiness,  nor  mine  security.    I  have  already  told  you  the 
reasons  for  demanding  it;  they  are  such  as  ought  not — can- 
not be  departed    from.     This   evening  must    determine 
whether  or  not  you  are  disposed  to  become  friendly.     By 
rejecting  the  treaty  you  will  show  that  you  are  the  enemies 
of  the  United  States— enemies  to  yourselves."     He  admit- 
ted it  to  be  true,  that  the  war  was  not  ended,  yet  that  this 
v/as  an  additional  reason  why  the  cession  should  be  made; 
that  then  a  line  would  be  drawn,    by   which   his  soldiers 
would  be  enabled  to  distinguish  and  know  their  friends. 
"When  our  armies,"  continued  he,  "came  here,  the  hostile 
party  had  even  stripped  you  of  your  country :  we  retook  it, 
and  now  offer  to  restore  it; — theirs  we  propose  to  retain. 
Those  who  are  disposed  to  give  effect  to  the  treaty,  will 
sigpii  it.   They  will  be  within  our  territory;  will  be  protected 
and  fed;  and  no  enemy  of  theirs,  or  oui*s,  shall  molest  them. 
Those  who  are  opposed  to  it  shall  have  permission  to 
retire  to  Pensacola.     Here  is  the  papier:  take  it,  and  ijiaqi- 
fest  who  are  his  friends.     Consult,  and  this  evening  let 
mel:now  who  will  assent,  and  who  will  not.     Act  as  you 
think  proper." 

They  proceeded  to  deliberate  and  re-examine  the  course 
they  should  pursue,  which  terminated  in  their  assent  to 
the  ti-eaty,  and  the  extension  of  those  advantages  that  had 
been  insisted  on.* 

•  It  was  agreed  that  the  line  should  begin  where  the  Cherokee 
southern  boundary  crossed  the  Coosa,  to  run  down  that  river  to  Woe- 
L 


122  LIFE  OF  GEKERAL  JACKSOK. 

In  the  progress  of  this  business  another  difficulty  arose: 
the  council  insisted  that  there  should  be  inserted  in  the 
treaty  a  reservation  of  certain  tracts  of  land;  one  for 
Colonel  Hawkins,  in  consideration  of  his  fidelity  as  an 
agent;  and  another  to  Jackson,  because  of  the  gratitude 
felt  towards  him  for  his  exertions  in  their  favour  against 
the  hostile  Creeks.  To  this  the  geii^ral  objected.  It  was 
personal  as  it  regarded  himself,  and  he  was  unwilling  to 
appear  in  any  point  of  view,  where  suspicion  could  attach, 
that  he  had  availed  himself  of  his  official  situation  to  obtain 
personal  benefits;  fully  aware,  that  however  the  facts  in 
reality  might  be,  selfish  considerations  would  be  imputed 
as  an  inducement  to  what  was  done.  He  refused,  there- 
fore, to  have  it  inserted ;  and  for  a  further  reason,  that  the 
instructions  under  which  he  was  acting,  required  it  to  be 
a  capitulation  and  not  a  treaty.  The  next  morning,  how- 
ever, when  they  met  in  council  to  sign  the  instrument,  the 
chiefs  delivered  to  the  general  a  paper,  expressing  a  wish, 
and  disclosing  their  reasons,  that  a  reservation  to  himself, 
—Colonel  Hawkins,  and  Mayfield,  who  being  made  a  pri- 
soner in  his  youth,  had  always  resided  in  the  nation,  might 
be  assented  to;  and  requested  it  to  be  forwarded  on  and 
made  known  to  the  government.  Jackson  consented  to  do 
so,  and  to  recommenid  its  adoption;  but  that  the  reserva- 
tion they  had  thought  proper  to  request,  if  assented  to,  he 
would  accept  of  on  no  other  terms  than  that  the  president 
should  dispose  of  it,  and  apply  the  proceeds  to  those  of 
the  nation  on  whom  distress  and  poverty  had  been  brought 
by  the  war.  Mr.  Madison  subsequently  brought  this  mat- 
ter to  the  consideration  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
and  in  recommending  its  adoption  highly  complimented 
the  delicacy  with  which  the  proposition  had  been  met  by 
General  Jackson:  it  was,  however,  never  acted  on  by 
(Ibngress. 

Every  attention  had  been  given,  during  the  negotiation, 
to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  savages  the  necessity  of 
remaining  at  peace  and  friendship  with  the  United  States; 
for,  although  all  apprehensions  of  their  acting  in  concert 
as  a  nation  had  subsided,   yet  it  was  important  to  leave 

tum-ka,  and  thence  eastwardly  to  Georgia.  East  and  north  of  thig 
line,  containing  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  square 
miles,  remained  to  the  Indians.  West  and  south  was  »ec\u^  to  the 
United  States. 


CHAPTER  VI.  123 

their  minds  favourably  impressed,  lest  the  wandering  fugi- 
tives, scattered  in  considerable  numbers  towards  the  Escam- 
bia and  Pensacola,  might,  by  continuing  hostile,  associate 
others  of  their  countrymen, — attach  themselves  to  the 
British,  should  they  appear  in  the  south,  aid  them  by 
their  numbers,  and  pilot  them  through  the  country. 

This  retreat  of  the  savages  in  East  Florida,  had  been 
always  looked  upon  as  a  place  whence  the  United  States 
might  apprehend  serious  difficulties.  Thei-e  v/as  no  doubt, 
but  that  the  British,  through  this  channel,  with  the  aid  of 
the  governor,  had  protected  the  Indians,  and  supplied  theffn 
with  arms  and  ammunition;  nor  was  it  less  certain,  but 
that  through  the  art  and  address  practised  on  them,  they 
had  been  excited  to  the  outrages  which  had  been  hereto- 
fore committed.  It  was  an  idea  entertained  by  Jackson 
at  the  commencement  of  the  Creek  war,  that  the  most 
effectual  and  proper  mode  of  procedure  would  be  to  push 
his  army  through  the  nation;  gain  this  den,  where  vege- 
tated so  many  evils;  and,  by  holding  it,  effectually  cut  off 
their  intercourse,  and  means  of  encouraging  the  war:  but 
the  unexpected  difficulties  which  v/c  have  before  noticed, 
had  repressed  the  execution  of  his  v/ell  digested  plans,  and 
left  him  to  pursue  his  course  as  circumstances,  and  the 
obstacles  met  with,  would  permit-  The  assistance  which^ 
during  the  war,  had  been  continually  afforded  these  people 
from  Pensacola,  induced  him  once  more  to  turn  his  atten- 
tion there;  and  he  now  strongly  urged  on  government  the 
propriety  of  attacking  and  breaking  down  this  strong  hold, 
whence  so  many  evils  had  flowed,  and  whence  greater  ones 
were  yet  to  be  expected.  His  busy  mind,  actively  engaged, 
while  employed  in  settling  all  differences  at  Fort  Jackson, 
had  sought  through  every  channel  that  could  afford  it,  infor- 
mation as  to  the  designs  of  the  British  against  the  southern 
parts  of  the  Union.  The  idea  had  been  prevalent,  and  gene- 
rally indulged,  that,  so  soon  as  the  severity  of  approach- 
ing winter  should  put  a  stop  to  active  operations  on  the 
Canada  frontier,  with  ail  their  disposable  force,  they  would 
turn  their  attention  against  the  southern  states,  and  there 
attempt  to  gain  some  decisive  advantage.  New  Orleans, 
with  one  consent,  was  fixed  upon  as  the  point  that  most 
probably  would  be  assailed.  The  circumstance  of  there 
being  so  many  persons  there  who  had  never  been  supposed 
to  entertain  any  well-founded  regard  for  the  country  in 


124  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

which  they  lived,  together  with  a  large  black  population, 
which  it  was  feared  might  be  excited  to  insurrection  and 
massacre,  through  the  persuasions  of  an  enemy,  were  rea- 
sons which  strongly  led  to  this  conclusion. 

General  Jackson  having  understood,  that  comfort  and 
aid  was  still  afforded  by  the  Spanish  governor  to  the  hos- 
tile Indians,  who  had  fled  from  the  ravages  of  the  Creek 
war,  cherished  the  belief  that  his  conduct  was  such  as  de- 
servedly to  exclude  him  from  that  protection  to  which, 
under  other  circumstances,  he  would  be  entitled,  from  the 
pfbfessed  neutrality  of  Spain.  At  all  events,  if  the  impro- 
per acts  of  the  Spanish  agents  would  not  authorize  the 
American  government  openly  to  redress  the  unprovoked 
injuries  it  had  received,  they  were  such,  he  believed,  as 
would  justify  any  course  which  had  for  its  object  to  arrest 
their  continuance  and  give  safety  to  the  country.  In  this 
point  of  view  he  had  already  considered  it,  when  on  his 
way  to  the  treaty  at  Fort  Jackson,  he  received  certain 
information,  that  about  three  hundred  English  troops  had 
landed;  were  fortifying  themselves  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Apalachicola;  and  were  endeavouring  to  excite  the  Indians 
to  war.  No  time  was  lost  in  giving  the  government  no- 
tice of  what  was  passing,  and  of  the  course  deemed  most 
advisable  to  be  pursued.  The  advantages  to  be  secured 
from  the  possession  bf  Pensacola  he  had  frequently  urged. 
Whether  it  was  that  the  government  beheld  things  in  a 
point  of  view  different  from  himself,  or  that  being  at  peace 
with  Spain,  was  disposed  to  encounter  partial  inconvenien- 
ces, rather  than  add  her  to  the  number  of  our  enemies,  no 
order  to  that  effect  was  given.  In  detailing  to  the  secretary 
of  war  the  information  that  had  been  communicated  to  him, 
he  remarks:  "If  the  hostile  Creeks  have  taken  refuge  in 
Florida,  and  are  there  fed,  clothed,  and  protected ;  if  the 
British  have  landed  a  large  force,  munitions  of  war,  and 
are  fortifying  and  stirring  up  the  savages;  will  you  only  say 
to  me,  raise  a  few  hundred  militia,  which  can  be  quickly 
done,  and  with  such  regular  force  as  can  be  conveniently 
collected,  make  a  descent  upon  Pensacola,  and  reduce  it? 
If  so,  I  promise  you  the  war  in  the  south  shall  have  a  speedy 
termination,  and  English  influence  be  forever  destroyed 
with  the  savages  in  this  quarter." 

Notwithstanding  this  and  other  information  communi- 
cated to  the  government,  yet,  to  his  repeated  and  pressing 
applications,  he  was  unable  to  obtain  any  answer:  nothing 


( 

CHAPTER   VI.  125 

was  returned  that  could  be  construed  into  a  permission  of, 
or  command  to  abstain  from  the  execution  of  his  project. 
At  length,  on  the  I7th  of  January,  1815,  after  the  British 
army  had  been  repulsed  at  New  Orleans,  and  the  descent 
on  Florida  almost  forgotten,  through  the  post  office  depart- 
ment, dated  at  Washington  city,  the  18th  of  July,  1814,  he 
received  the  following  letter  from  General  Armstrong,  then 

ae£jC^t>y::jL.aLL3Sfli' : 

f'The  case  you  put  is  a  very  strong  one:  and  if  all  the 
circumstances  stated  by  you  unite,  the  conclusion  is  irre- 
sistible. It  becomes  our  duty  to  carry  our  arms  where 
we  find  our  enemies.  It  is  believed,  and  I  am  so  directed 
by  the  president  to  say,  that  there  is  a  disposition  on  the 
part  of  the  Spanish  government,  not  to  break  with  the 
United  States,  nor  to  encourage  any  conduct  on  the  part  of 
her  subordinate  agents,  having  a  tendency  to  such  rup- 
ture. We  must,  therefore,  in  this  case,  be  careful  to  as- 
certain facts,  and  even  to  distinguish  what,  on  the  part  of 
the  Spanish  authorities,  may  be  the  effect  of  menace  and 
compulsion,  or  of  their  choice  and  policy:  the  result  of 
this  inquiry  must  govern.  If  they  admit,  feed,  arm,  and 
co-operate  with  the  British  and  hostile  Indians,  wc  must 
strike  on  the  broad  principle  of  self-preservation : — under 
other  and  different  circumstances,  we  must  forbear." 

That  the  state  of  things,  here  suggested  by  the  secretary, 
did  actually  exist;  that  the  British  were  favourably  re- 
ceived, and  every  assistance  necessary  to  a  continuance  of 
hostilities  extended  to  the  Indians,  the  government  had 
been  already  apprised,  by  the  frequent  communications 
made  to  them  on  the  subject.  The  facts  were  too  well  as- 
certained for  any  reasonable  doubt  to  attach.  To  deter- 
mine then  upon  a  proper  course,  no  postulata  were  neces- 
sary, or  should  have  been  required  by  the  government. 
Had  this  letter  reached  him  in  time,  it  would  at  once 
have  determined  General  Jackson  in  the  course  proper  to 
be  pursued;  how  it  was  so  long  delayed,  we  knov/  not, 
nor  shall  we  pretend  to  conjecture;  for  on  such  a  subject, 
conjeclure  alone  could  be  indulged.  We  would,  however, 
recorftmend  in  all  cases,  where  a  measure  is  to  be  proceed- 
ed in,  either  from  necessity,  or  a  well  founded  apprehen- 
sion of  its  propriety,  that  the  government  should  adopt  it 
without  fear  or  trembling,  and  from  no  regard  to  the  con- 
sequences involved;  nor  leave  to  be  determined  by  the 
success  or  failure  of  the  design,  whether  an  officer  acting 
I.  2 


126  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

upon  his  own  responsibility,  and  for  the  good  of  his 
country,  shall  become  the  subject  of  commendation  or  re- 
proof. 

"If"  remarked  the  General,  speaking  of  this  transac- 
tion, "  this  letter,  or  any  hint  that  such  a  course  would 
have  been  even  winked  at  by  the  government,  had  been  re- 
ceived, it  would  have  been  in  my  power  to  have  captured 
the  British  shipping  in  the  bay.  I  would  have  marched  at 
once  against  Barrancas,  and  carried  it,  and  thus  prevented 
an  escape;  but,  acting  on  my  own  responsibility  against  a 
neutral  power,  it  became  essential  to  proceed  with  more 
caution  than  my  judgment  or  wishes  approved,  and  conse- 
quently important  advantages  were  lost,  which  might 
have  been  secured."  The  delay  of  this  letter  is  inexplicably 
strange.  Did  General  Armstrong  detain  it?  He  could 
not,  because  his  efficiency  of  character  and  decision  stand 
in  opposition  to  the  idea;  and,  besides,  after  the  burning  of 
Washington,  in  August  IS  14,  he  ceased  to  have  any  agency 
in  the  affairs  of  the  government.  It  is  a  circumstance, 
which,  during  this  time,  could  not  have  remained  under 
the  control  of  accident:  it  must  have  been  the  effect  of 
management  somewhere,  and  of  a  design  intended  for 
some  important  purpose;  if  any  mishaps  occurred,  and 
a  question  arose  where  responsibility  should  rest,  the  ab- 
sence of  authority  would  readily  affix  it  on  Jackson.  If 
our  cause  had  proved  disastrous  at  New  Orleans,  it  would 
have  been  an  easy  and  plausible  matter  to  have  ascribed  it 
to  the  time  lost  in  waring  operations  agamst  a  neutral  and 
friendly  power,  without  the  sanction  of  the  government. 

On  reaching  Fort  Jackson,  his  first  attention  had  been 
directed  to  a  subject  which  he  believed  to  be  of  greater  im- 
portance than  making  Indian  treaties — to  establish  a  plan 
by  which  to  be  constantly  advised,  during  his  stay,  of  those 
schemes  that  were  in  agitation  in  the  south:  believing  that 
every  passing  event  might  be  readily  obtained  through  the 
Indians,  who  could  go  among  the  British  without  in  the 
least  exciting  suspicion,  he  had  required  Colonel  Haw- 
kins to  procure  some  who  were  confidential,  and  might  be 
certainly  relied  on,  to  proceed  to  the  Apalachicoluf  and 
towards  the  coast,  and  to  return  as  early  as  they  could  ob- 
tain correct  information  of  the  strength,  views,  and  situa- 
tion of  the  enemy.  In  about  fifteen  days  they  came  back, 
confirming  the  statement  previously  received,  that  a  con- 
siderable English  force  had  arrived,  and  was  then  in  the 


CHAPTER  VI.  127 

bay  of  St.  Rose ;  that  muskets  and  ammunition  had  been 
given  to  the  Indians,  and  runners  despatched  to  the  dif- 
ferent tribes  to  invite  them  to  the  coast 

Satisfied  that  such  permissions,  by  a  neutral  power,  were 
too  grievous  to  be  borne,  he  immediately  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  the  governor  of  Pensacola,  apprising  him  of  the  in- 
formation received;  and  inquiring  why  and  wherefore  it 
happened  that  every  protection  and  assistance  was  furnish- 
ed the  enemies  of  the  United  States,  within  his  territory; 
requested  him  to  state  whether  or  not  the  facts  were  as 
they  had  been  represented;  and  demanded  to  have  surren- 
dered to  him  such  of  the  chiefs  of  the  hostile  Indians  as 
were  with  him.  "I  rely,"  continued  he,  "on  the  existing  ' 
friendship  of  Spain,  her  treaties,  and  that  neutrality  which 
she  should  observe,  as  authority  for  the  demand  I  make.** 
The  governor's  answer,  which  shortly  afterwards  was  re- 
ceived, evinced  nothing  of  a  conciliatory  temper,  and  left 
no  hope  of  procuring  any  other  redress  than  that  which 
might  be  obtained  through  some  different  channel.  It  was 
a  subject,  however,  which  required  to  be  managed  with 
considerable  caution. 

Spain  and  the  United  States  were  in  amity  and  at  peace; 
to  reduce  any  portion  of  her  territory,  and  take  possession 
of  it,  in  exclusion  of  her  authority,  might  be  construed 
such  an  aggression,  as  to  induce  her  into  the  war.  On 
the  other  hand,  for  her,  with  open  arms,  to  receive  our 
enemies,  and  permit  them  to  make  every  preparation 
within  her  ports,  for  invading  and  attacl^ng  our  country, 
were  outrages  too  monstrous  to  be  borne,  and,  in  the 
opinion  of  Jackson,  required  to  be  remedied,  let  the  con- 
sequences in  prospective  be  what  they  might.  Although 
these  things  had  been  earnestly  pressed  upon  the  conside- 
ration of  the  war  department,  no  answer  to  his  repeated 
solicitations  on  the  subject  had  been  received.  On  his 
own  responsibility,  to  advance  to  the  execution  of  a  mea- 
sure, which  involved  so  much,  when  his  government  was, 
and  had  for  some  time  been,  in  possession  of  all  the  cir-  / 
cumstances,  was  risking  too  much.  Yet,  were  it  delayed  NT 
longer,  every  day  might  give  to  Pensacola  additional 
strength,  and  increase  the  danger  attendant  on  its  reduc- 
tion. Undetermined,  under  considerations  like  these,  he 
resolved  upon  another -expedient — to  despatch  a  messen- 
ger, to  lay  open  to  the  governor  the  ground  of  his  com- 
plaint—obtain from  him  a  declaration  of  his  intention,  as 


128  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

regarded  the  course  he  meant  to  pursue — and  ascer* 
tain  whether  he  designed  to  make  subsisting  treaties 
between  the  two  nations,  the  basis  of  his  conduct,  or  to 
adopt  a  strange  and  concealed  course,  which,  under  the 
garb  of  pretended  friendship,  cloaked  all  the  realities  of 
war.  The  propriety  of  delivering  up  the  hostile  Indians, 
who  were  with  him,  to  atone  for  the  violation  of  existing 
treaties,  and  the  rights  of  humanity,  and  the  murders  they 
had  committed,  was  again  pressed  and  solicited. 

A  reply  was  not  concluded  on  by  the  governor  for  some 
time,  awing  to  a  very  considerable  doubt  that  harassed  his 
mind,  whether  it  would  not  be  more  proper  to  return  it 
without  an  answer,  "in  imitation  of  the  conduct  of  Gene- 
ral Flournoy,  who,  acting  in  conformy  to  the  orders  of 
Mr.  Madison,  heretofoi-e  had  omitted  to  answer  a  des- 
patch of  his."  But  having  considered  the  matter  quite 
maturely  and  deliberately,  he  at  length  came  to  the  con- 
clusion, to  wave  the  example  set  him  by  the  president,  and 
in  replying,  to  act  in  obedience  to  those  "high  and  gene- 
rous feelings  peculiar  to  the  Spanish  character." 

In  answer  to  the  demand  made  upon  him,  that  the  hos- 
tile Indians  should  be  delivered  up,  he  denied  that  they 
were  with  him,  "at  that  time,"  or  that  he  could,  on  the 
ground  of  hospitality,  refuse  them  assistance,  at  a  moment 
when  their  distresses  were  so  great;  nor  could  he  surren- 
der them,  as  he  believed,  without  acting  in  open  violation 
of  the  laws  of  nations, — laws,  to  which  his  sovereign  had 
ever  strictly  adhered,  and  of  which  he  had  already  afford- 
ed the  United  States  abundant  evidence,  in  omitting  to  de- 
mand of  them  "  the  traitors,  insurgents,  incendiaries,  and 
assassins  of  his  chiefs,  namely,  Guiterres,  Toledo,  and 
many  others,  whom  the  American  g-oveniment  protected 
and  maintained  in  committing  hostilities,  in  fomenting  the 
revolution,  and  in  lighting  the  flames  of  discord  in  the  in- 
ternal provinces  of  the  kingdom  of  Mexico." 

To  the  inquiry,  why  the  English  had  been  suffered  to 
land  in  his  province  arms  and  ammunition,  vvith  a  view  to 
encourage  the  Indians  in  their  acts  of  hostility,  he  pro- 
ceeded with  his  same  "national  characteristic,"  and  de- 
manded to  be  infoifncd  if  the  United  States  were  ignorant, 
that  at  the  conqu^t  oPFlorid-.u  there  was  a  tiTaty  between 
•Great  Britain  and  the  Creek  Indians,  and  whether  they 
did  not  know,  that  it  still  existed  betsveen  Spain  and  those 
tribes?  "  But,"  continued  he,  "  turn  your  eyes  to  the  island 


CHAPTER  VI.  129 

of  Barrataria,  and  you  will  there  perceive,  that  within  the 
very  territory  of  the  United  States,  pirates  are  sheltered 
and  protected,  with  the  manifest  design  of  committing 
hostilities  by  sea,  upon  the  merchant  vessels  of  Spain; 
and  with  such  scandalous  notoriety,  that  the  cargoes  of 
our  vessels,  have  been  publicly  sold  in  Louisiana." 

It  is  difficult  to  discover  how,  or  by  what  system  of 
logic  it  was,  that  Governor  Manrequez  was  enabled  to 
trace  any  kind  of  analogy  between  the  United  States  af- 
fording to  a  few  of  the  patriots  of  South  America,  an  asy- 
lum from  the  oppressions  and  persecutions  that  were 
threatened  to  be  imposed  on  them  by  Spanish  tyranny, 
and  his  permitting  within  the  limits  of  Florida,  comfort, 
aid,  and  assistance  to  be  given  the  savages,  that  they  might 
the  better  be  enabled  to  indulge  in  cruelty  towards  us. 
Nor  can  it  be  perceived  how  it  was,  that  the  piracies  of 
Lafite  and  his  party  at  Barrataria,  and  the  successful 
smuggling  which  brought  their  plundered  wealth  into  port, 
in  open  defiance  of  our  laws,  could  operate  as  a  sufficient 
pretext  for  giving  protection  and  indulgence  to  an  enemy 
entering  the  territory  of  Spain,  and  continuing  there,  with 
the  avowed  intention  of  waging  war  against  a  power  with 
which  she  not  only  professed  to  be  in  friendship,  but  was 
bound  by  treaty  to  be  so,  and  at  the  very  time  too,  when 
she  claimed  to  be  neutral.  Nor  can  we  see  the  force  of 
the  argument,  because  England  had  a  treaty  with  the 
Creek  Indians,  which  afterwards  devolved  on  Spain,  that 
the  agents  of  his  Catholic  majesty  were  in  consequence, 
justified  in  pi*otecting  the  savages  in  their  murders,  or  as- 
sisting covertly,  as  they  didj  in  the  war  against  us:  how 
the  conclusions  were  arrived  at,  the  governor  can  decide 
at  some  moment,  when  relieved  from  those  high  and 
honourable  feelings,  " peculiar  to  the  Spanish  character,'* 
reason  may  re-assert  her  empiry  over  him,  and  point  the 
manner  he  was  enabled  to  produce  his  strange  results. 

The  governor,  however,  had  evidenced  rather  too  high  a 
state  of  feeling,  and  taken  his  ground  without  suffering  his 
reflections  to  go  to  their  full  extent  He  had  placed  arms 
in  the  hands  of  the  savages,  "for  the  purpose  of  self-de- 
fence;'* many  of  them  were  hastening  to  him, — more  were 
yet  expected.  The  British  had  already  landed  a  partial 
force,  and  a  greater  one  was  shortly  looked  for.  Against 
this  certain  and  expected  strength,  added  to  what  his  own 
resources  could  supply,  he  believed  an  American  general 


-130  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

would  not  venture  to  advance.  These  considerations  had 
led  him  to  assume  a  proud  and  lofty  tone, — to  arraign  the 
conduct  of  the  United  States,  in  extinguishing  the  Indian 
title  on  the  Alabama, — to  accuse  them  of  disregarding  and 
violating  their  treaties,  and  to  point  out  the  danger  to 
which  the  restoration  of  peace  in  Europe  might  shortly 
expose  them.  As  yet,  he  was  ignorant  of  the  energy  of 
the  man  already  near  his  borders,  and  who,  to  march 
against  and  break  down  his  fancied  security,  did  not  de« 
sire  to  be  ordered,  but  only  to  be  apprised  by  his  country 
that  it  might  be  done.  Jackson,  in  no  wise  pleased  with 
the  boldness  of  his  remarks,  proceeded  again  to  address 
him,  and  exhibited  fully  the  grounds  of  accusation  and 
complaint  in  behalf  of  his  country,  and  in  a  style  at  least  as 
courtly  as  his  own. 

"  Were  I  clothed,"  he  remarks,"  with  diplomatic  powers, 
for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  topics  embraced  in  the 
wide  range  of  injuries  of  which  you  complain,  and  which 
have  long  since  been  adjusted,  I  could  easily  demonstrate 
that  the  United  States  have  been  always  ftiithful  to  their 
treaties,  steadfast  in  their  friendships,  nor  have  ever 
claimed  any  thing  that  was  not  warranted  by  justice. 
They  have  endured  many  insults  from  the  governors  and 
other  officers  of  Spain,  which,  if  sanctioned  by  their  sove- 
reign, would  have  amounted  to  acts  of  hostility,  without 
any  previous  declaration  on  the  subject  They  have  ex- 
cited the  savages  to  war,  and  afforded  them  tke  means  of 
waging  it:  the  property  of  our  citizens  has  been  captured 
at  sea,  and  if  compensation  has  not  been  refused,  it  has  at 
least  been  withheld.  But  as  no  such  powers  have  been  de- 
legated to  me,  I  shall  not  assume  them,  but  leave  them  to 
the  representatives  of  our  respective  governments. 

"I  have  the  honour  of  being  entrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  this  district  Charged  with  its  protection,  and 
the  safety  of  its  citizens,  I  feel  my  ability  to  discharge 
the  task,  and  trust  your  excellency  will  always  find  me 
ready  and  willing  to  go  forward,  in  the  performance  of 
that  duty,  whenever  circumstances  shall  render  it  neces- 
sary. I  agree  with  you,  perfectly,  that  candour  and  po- 
lite language  should,  at  all  times,  characterize  the  commu- 
nications between  the  officers  of  friendly  sovereignties; 
and  I  assert,  without  the  fear  of  contradiction,  that  my 
former  letters  were  couched  in  tei-ms  the  most  respectful 
and  unexceptionable.     I  only  requested,  and  did  not  de- 


CHAPTER  VI.  131 

mand,  as  you  have  asserted,  that  the  ringleaders  of  the 
Creek  confederacy  might  be  delivered  to  me,  who  had 
taken  refuge  in  your  town,  and  who  had  violated  all  laws, 
moral,  civil,  and  divine.  This  I  had  a  right  to  do,  from 
the  treaty  which  I  sent  you,  and  which  I  now  again  en- 
close, with  a  request  that  you  will  change  your  transla- 
tion; believing,  as  I  do,  that  your  former  one  was  wrong, 
and  has  deceived  you.  What  kind  of  an  answer  you  re- 
turned, a  reference  to  your  letter  will  explain.  The  whole 
of  it  breathed  nothing  but  hostility,  grounded  upon  as- 
sumed facts,  and  false  charges,  and  entirely  evading  the 
inquiries  that  had  been  made. 

"I  can  but  express  my  astonishment  at  your  protest 
against  the  cession  on  the  Alabama,  lying  within  the  ac- 
knowledged limits  and  jurisdiction.of  the  United  States, 
and  which  has  been  ratified  in  due  form,  by  the  principal 
chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  nation.  But  my  astonishment 
subsides,  when,  on  comparison,  I  find  it  upon  a  par  with 
the  rest  of  your  letter  and  conduct;  taken  together,  they 
afford  a  sufficient  justification  for  any  course  on  my  part 
or  consequences  that  may  ensue  to  yourself.  My  govern- 
ment will  protect  every  inch  of  her  territory,  her  citizens 
and  their  property,  from  insult  and  depredation,  regardless 
of  the  political  revolutions  of  Europe;  and  although  she  has 
been  at  all  times  sedulous  to  preserve  a  good  understand- 
ing with  all  the  world,  yet  she  has  sacred  rights,  that  can- 
not be  trampled  upon  with  impunity.  Spain  had  better 
Jook  to  her  own  intestine  commotions,  before  she  walks 
forth  in  that  majesty  of  strength  and  power,  which  you 
threaten  to  draw  down  upon  the  United  States. 

"Your  excellency  has  been  candid  enough  to  admit  your 
having  supplied  the  Indians  with  arms.  In  addition  to 
this,  I  have  learned  that  a  British  flag  has  been  seen  flying 
on  one  of  your  forts.  All  this  is  done  while  you  are  pre- 
tending to  be  neutral.  You  cannot  be  surprised,  then,  but 
on  the  contrary  will  provide  a  fort  in  your  town  for  my 
soldiers  and  Indians,  should  I  take  it  in  my  head  to  pay 
you  a  visit 

"  In  future,  I  beg  you  to  withhold  your  insulting  charges 
against  my  government  for  one  more  inclined  to  listen  to 
slander  than  I  am;  nor  consider  me  any  more  as  a  diplo« 
matic  character,  unless  so  proclaimed  to  you  from  the 
mouths  of  my  cannon, " 

Captain  Gordon,  who  had  been  despatched  to  Pensa- 


132  LIFE  OP  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

cola,  had  been  enabled,  during  the  time  he  remained  there, 
to  obtain  much  more  full  and  satisfactory  information  than 
it  had  pleased  the  governor  to  communicate.  Appear- 
ances completely  developed  the  schemes  which  were  in 
agitation,  and  convinced  him  that  active  operations  were 
intended  shortly  to  be  commenced  somewhere  in  the  lower 
country.  On  his  return,  he  reported  to 'the  General  that 
he  had  seen  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred 
officers  and  soldiers,  a  park  of  artillery,  and  about  five 
hundred  Indians,  under  the  drill  of  British  officers,  armed 
with  new  muskets,  and  dressed  in  the  English  unifoi-m. 

Jackson  directly  brought  to  the  view  of  the  government 
the  information  he  had  received,  and  again  urged  his  fa- 
vourite scheme,  the  reduction  of  Pensacola.  "  How  long," 
he  observed,  "  will  the  United  States  pocket  the  reproach 
and  open  insults  of  Spain?  It  is  alone  by  a  manly  and 
dignified  course,  that  we  can  secure  respect  from  other 
nations,  and  peace  to  our  own.  Temporizing  policy  is 
not  only  a  disgrace,  but  a  curse  to  anyna.ion.  It  is  a  fact 
that  a  British  captain  of  marines  is,  and  has  for  some  time 
past  been  engaged  in  drilling  and  organizing  the  fugitive 
Creeks,  under  the  eye  of  the  governor;  endeavouring,  by 
his  influence  and  presents,  to  draw  to  his  standard  as  well 
the  peaceable  as  thje  hostile  Indians.  If  permission  had 
been  given  me  to  march  against  this  place  twenty  days 
ago,  I  would,  ere  this,  have  planted  there  the  American 
Eagle;  now,  we  must  trust  alone  to  our  valour,  and  to  the 
justice  of  our  cause.  But  my  present  resources  are  so  li- 
mited—a sickly  climate,  as  well  as  an  enemy  to  contend 
with,  and  without  the  means  of  transportation  to  change 
the  position  of  my  army,  that,  resting  on  the  bravery  of 
my  little  phalanx,  I  can  only  hope  for  success." 

Many  difficulties  v.ere  presented  ;  and,  although  anxious 
to  carry  into  execution  a  purpose  which  seemed  so  strongly 
warranted  by  necessity,  he  saw  that  he  was  wholly  with- 
out the  power  of  moving,  even  should  he  be  directed  to  do 
so.  Acting  in  a  remote  corner  of  the  Union,  which  was  de- 
tached and  thinly  inhabited,  the  credit  of  his  government 
was  inadequate  to  procure  those  things  necessary  and  es- 
sential to  his  operations;  while  the  poverty  of  his  quarter- 
master's department  presented  but  a  dreary  prospect  for  re- 
liance. But  to  have  all  things  in  a  state  of  readiness  for 
action,  when  the  time  should  arrive  to  authorize  it,  he  was 
directing  his  attention  in  the  way  most  likely  to  effect  it 


CHAPTER    VI.  133 

The  warriors  of  the  different  tribes  of  Indians  were  order- 
ed to  be  marshalled,  and  taken  into  the  pay  of  the  govern- 
ment. He  addressed  himself  to  the  governors  of  Tennes- 
see, Louisiana,  and  Mississippi,  and  pressed  them  to  be 
vigilant  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  Information,  he 
said,  had  reached  him,  which  rendered  it  necessary  that 
all  the  forces  allotted  for  the  defence  of  the  seventh  mili- 
tary district,  should  be  held  in  a  state  of  perfect  readiness, 
to  march  at  any  notice,  and  to  any  point  they  might  be  re- 
quired. "Dark  and  heavy  clouds  hover  around  us.  The 
energy  and  patriotism  of  the  citizens  of  your  states  must 
dispel  them.  Our  rights,  our  liberties,  and  our  free  con- 
stitution, are  threatened.  This  noble  patrimony  of  our 
fathers  must  be  defended  with  the  best  blood  of  our 
country:  to  do  this,  you  must  hasten  to  carry  into  effect 
the  requisition  of  the  secretary  of  war,  and  call  forth  your 
troops,  without  delay." 

On  the  day  after  completing  the  treaty  of  Fort  Jackson, 
he  had  departed  for  Mobile,  to  place  the  country  in  a  pro- 
])er  state  of  defence.  The  third  regiment,  a  part  of  the 
forty-fourth  and  thirty-ninth,  constituted  the  entire  regu- 
lar force  he  could  at  this  time  command.  Many  reasons 
concurred  to  render  it  necessary  that  a  sufficient  force 
should  be  brought  into  the  field  as  early  as  possible.  His 
appeals  to  the  people  of  Tennessee  had  been  generally 
crowned  with  success;  and  he  had  no  doubt  but  that  he 
might  thence  obtain  such  assistance  as  would  enable  him, 
should  any  unexpected  emergency  arise,  to  act  at  least  de- 
fensively, until  the  states  already  applied  to,  should  have 
their  quotas  ready  for  the  field.  On  the  citizens  of  Loui- 
siana and  Mississippi  he  believed  he  might  securely  rely, 
and  that  their  ardour  would  readily  excite  them  to  con- 
tend with  an  enemy  at  their  very  doors.  Well  knowing 
the  delay  incident  to  bringing  militia  requisitions  expedi- 
tiously forth,  and  fearing  that  some  circumstance  might 
arise  to  jeopardize  the  safety  of  the  country,  before  the 
constituted  authorities  could  act,  he  had  already  despatch- 
ed his  adjutant-general,  Colonel '  Butler,  to  Tennessee, 
with  orders  to  raise  volunteers,  and  have  them  in  readi- 
ness to  advance  to  his  relief,  whenever  it  should  be  re- 
quired. 

Every  day's  intelligence  tended  to  confirm  the  belief 
that  a  descent  would  be  made, — most  probably  on  New 
Orleans.     Anonymous   letters,   secretly  forwarded   from 

M 


134  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

Pensacola,  and  which  found  their  way  into  the  American 
camp,  suggested  this  as  the  point  of  assault;  and  many  of 
the  settlers  were  apprised  by  their  friends,  of  the  fears  en- 
tertained for  their  safety,  and  entreated  to  retire  from  the 
gathering  storm,  which,  it  was  feared,  would  soon  burst 
and  entirely  involve  the  lower  country  in  wo  and  ruin. 
Where,  certainly,  to  expect  attack,  was  as  yet  unknown. 
The  part  of  the  country  bordering  on  Mobile,  might  be 
assailed;  yet,  taking  into  consideration  that  no  very  im- 
mediate or  decided  advantages  could  be  obtained  there, 
it  was  an  event  not  much  to  be  apprehended.  The  neces- 
sity, however,  of  being  prepared  at  all  points,  so  far  as 
the  means  of  defence  could  be  procured,  was  at  once  ob- 
vious; for,  as  the  General  in  one  of  his  letters  remarked, 
"  there  was  no  telling  where  or  when  the  spoiler  might 
come." 

There  were  now  many  reasons  to  expect  an  early  visit, 
and  too  many  causes  to  apprehend  danger,  not  to  desire 
that  an  efficient  force  might  be  within  convenient  distance. 
Colonel  Butler  was  accordingly  ordered  to  hasten  forward 
with  the  volunteers  he  could  procure,  and  to  join  him 
without  delay.  The  order  reached  him  at  Nashville,  on 
the  9th  of  September,  and  he  forthwith  engaged  actively 
in  its  execution.  He  directly  applied  to  General  Coffee, 
to  advance  with  the  'mounted  troops.  A  general  order 
was  at  the  same  time  issued,  bringing  to  view  the  dangers 
that  threatened,  and  soliciting  those  who  were  disposed 
to  aid  in  protecting  their  country  from  invasion,  to  unite 
with  him  at  Fayetteville,  by  the  28th  instant.  The  ap- 
peal was  not  ineffectual:  although  the  scene  of  operation 
was  at  least  four  hundred  miles  from  the  point  of  rendez- 
vous, the  call  was  promptly  obeyed;  and  two  thousand 
able-bodied  men,  well  supplied  with  rifles  and  muskets, 
appeared  at  the  appointed  time  and  place,  to  march  with 
the  brave  General  Coffee,  who  had  so  often  led  his  troops 
to  victory  and  honour.  By  proper  exertions  every  thing 
was  presently  in  complete  readiness;  and  the  troops  col- 
lected for  the  campaign,  in  high  spirits,  set  out  for  the 
point  to  which  danger,  duty,  and  their  country  called 
them. 


CHAPTER  VII.  135 


CHAPTER  \ai. 


Colonel  Nicholls  arrives  at  Pensacola  and  issues  his  proclamation  to 
the  southern  inhabitants.— Attack  on  Fort  Bowyer,  and  loss  of  the 
Hermes  frigate.— Jackson  determines  to  reduce  Pensacola.— De- 
mands of  the  Governor  an  explanation  of  his  conduct;  his  answer. 
—Enters  and  takes  possession  of  Pensacola.— Conduct  and  perfidy 
of  the  Govei-nor.— Destruction  by  the  British  of  Barrancas  Fort — 
Our  troops  return  to  Mobile.— Expedition  against  the  Indians.— 
General  Winchester  arrives,  aixl  Jackson  proceeds  to  take  com- 
mand of  New  Orleans. 

Whether  a  force  were  thus  concentrating  to  act  de- 
fensively against  an  invading  enemy,  or  were  intended  to 
attack  and  reduce  the  rallying  point  of  the  Indians  and 
British  in  the  Spanish  territory,  whence  they  had  it  in 
their  power  to  make  sudden  inreads  on  any  part  of  our 
coast,  as  yet  all  was  conjecture.  It  was  a  trait  in  Jackson's 
character,  to  lock  closely  in  his  bosom  all  his  determina- 
tions: it  was  only  to  a  few,  on  whom  he  reposed  with  un- 
limited confidence,  that  the  least  intimation  was  at  any 
time  given  of  his  intentions.  The  idea  could  scarcely  be 
entertained,  that  at  this  time  any  hostility  was  meditated 
against  Pensacola.  The  frequent  applications  he  had 
made  to  the  war  department,  to  be  indulged  in  the  execu- 
tion of  this  purpose,  without  having  obtained  any  direc- 
tions or  permission  to  do  so,  had  placed  a  veto  on  the  pro- 
ject, unless  he  should  venture  to  risk  it  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility. 

It  was  impossible  he  should  remain  long  in  doubt,  as  to 
the  course  best  calculated  to  assure  defence,  or  to  the  ul- 
terior objects  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Nicholls,  with  a 
small  squadron  of  his  Britannic  majesty's  ships,  had  ar- 
rived the  latter  part  of  August,  and  taken  up  his  head- 
quarters with  Governor  Manrequez.  He  had  been  sent  m 
advance  to  sov/  dissensions  among  our  people,  and  to 
draw  around  his  standard  the  malcontents  and  traitors  of 
the  countrv.  His  proclamation,  issued  to  the  western  and 
southern  inhabitants,  full  of  false  statements,  and  high 
sounding  promises,  it  was  hoped  would  lead  them  to  a 
belief,  that  the  government  under  which  they  lived  was 
forging  for  them  chains:  that,  not  to  redress  any  injuries 
of  its  own,  but  through  the  mere  dictum  of  the  French 


136  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

emperor,  it  had  declared  war  against  a  power,  the  freest, 
the  happiest,  the  most  moral  and  religious  on  earth.  He 
stated,  that  he  was  at  the  head  of  a  force  amply  sufficient 
to  reinstate  them  in  those  liberties  and  enjoyments  of 
which  they  had  been  bereaved,  by  the  designs  of  "a  con- 
temptible few."  That  such  as  were  disposed  to  imbrue 
their  hands  in  the  blood  of  their  countrymen,  might  not 
quietly  rest,  doubting  of  the  assurances  proffered  them, 
he  concluded  by  tendering,  as  security  for  all  he  had  said 
and  promised,  "the  sacred  honour  of  a  British  officer."* 

He  had  waited  about  two  weeks,  that  his  proclamation 
might  take  effectual  hold,  and  prepare  the  inhabitants  to 
open  their  bosoms  to  receive  him,  when,  aided  by  his  In- 
dian and  Spanish  allies,  he  set  out  to  ascertain  the  effect 
it  had  wrought  His  first  visit  was  to  Fort  Bowyer, 
situated  on  the  extreme  end  of  a  narrow  neck  of  land, 
about  eighteen  miles  below  the  head  of  Mobile  bay,  and 
which  commanded  the  entrance.  With  the  loss  of  one  of 
his  ships,  and  an  eye,  he  had  the  mortification  to  learn, 
that  he  had  been  addressing  an  incorrigible  race,  who 
could  be  neither  duped,  flattered,  nor  forced  into  submis- 
sion. 

Fort  Bowyer  had  been  heretofore  abandoned;  and,  until 
the  arrival  of  General  Jackson  in  this  section  of  the 
country,  was  indeed  ill  calculated  for  serious  resistance. 
On  perceiving  its  importance,  he  immediately  caused  it 
to  be  placed  in  the  best  possible  state  of  defence.  So  ef- 
fectual was  its  situation  in  a  military  point  of  view,  as 
commanding  the  passes  of  those  rivers  which  discharged 
themselves  into  the  bay,  and  opened  directly  to  the  Indian 
country,  that  it  was  with  him  a  matter  of  surprise  it  had 
not  been  more  regarded  by  the  United  States,  and  even 
better  attended  to  by  our  enemies. 

Major  Lawrence  had  the  honour  to  command  this  spot, 
the  gallant  defence  of  which  has  given  it  celebrity,  and 
raised  him  to  an  elevated  stand  in  the  estimation  of  his 
country.  That  at  Pensacola,  plans  of  operation  were  di- 
gesting, which  had  for  their  object  an  invasion  of  our  coast 
somewhere,  was  a  fact  to  which  Lawrence  was  not  a 
stranger.     A  disposition  to  have  his  little  fortress  in  such 

•  See  note  A,  at  the  end  of  the  volume,  where  will  be  foimd  this 
most  cxtraoidinarj'  production  of  a  British  officer,  who  acted,  no  doubt, 
under  instructions  from  his  government. 


CHAPTER    VII.  137 

a  state  of  readiness,  as  would  place  it  in  his  power,  should 
that  be  their  object,  to  make  a  successful  and  brave  de- 
fence, had  prompted  him  to  the  most  vigorous  exertions. 
His  whole  strength  was  but  one  hundred  and  thirty  men. 
By  this  Spartan  band  was  evinced  a  confidence  in  each 
other,  and  an  unshaken  resolution,  which  left  their  brave 
commander  no  room  to*  apprehend  dishonour  to  his  flag, 
should  even  defeat  result. 

The  1 2th  of  September  determined  all  doubt  of  the  ob- 
ject which  the  British  had  in  view.  The  sentinels  brought 
intelligence  that  a  considerable  force,  consisting  of  In- 
dians, marines,  and  Spaniards,  had  landed;  and  the  same 
day,  two  brigs  and  sloops  hove  in  sight,  and  anchored  not 
far  distant  from  the  fort. 

For  a  few  days,  nothing  definitive  took  place.  Early  on 
the  morning  of  the  15th,  the  signals  passing  from  the 
ships  to  the  shore,  led  Lawrence  to  believe  an  assault 
would  shortly  be  made.  At  half  after  four  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  every  thing  being  arranged,  the  Hermes,  in  the 
van,  commanded  by  Sir  W.  H.  Percy,  and  the  other  ves- 
sels close  in  the  rear,  anchored  within  musket  shot  fire  of 
the  fort.  From  her  near  position,  supported  by  the  Caron, 
and  brigs  Sophia  and  Anaconda,  mounting  in  all  ninety 
guns,  she  opened  a  broadside.  Colonel  Nicholls  and 
Captain  Woodbine  at  the  head  of  their  detachment,  com- 
menced a  simultaneous  attack  by  land,  with  a  twelve 
pound  howitzer,  at  point  blank  distance;  but,  from  their 
sand  bank  fortifications,  they  were  so  quickly  driven,  as  to 
be  unable  to  produce  the  slightest  injury. 

The  action  raged  with  considerable  violence.  From 
the  fort  and  ships  was  pouring  a  continual  fire.  The 
Hermes  having  at  length  received  a  shot  through  her 
cable,  was  driven  from  her  anchorage  and  floated  with  the 
stream.  In  this  situation  she  was  thrown  into  a  position, 
where,  for  twenty  minutes,  she  received  a  severely  raking 
fire,  which  did  her  considerable  damage.  It  was  no  longer 
possible  to  control  her,  whence,  drifting  with  the  current, 
she  ran  upon  a  sand  bank  about  seven  hundred  yards  dis- 
tant, where,  until  late  at  night,  she  remained  exposed  to 
the  guns  of  the  fort.  Her  commander,  finding  it  imprac- 
ticable to  be  relieved,  set  her  on  fire,  and  abandoned  her. 
She  continued  burning  until  eleven  o'clock,  v/hen  she  blew 
up.  The  Caron,  next  in  advance  to  the  Hermes,  was 
considerably  injured,  and  with  difficulty  went  out  to  sea. 
m2 


138  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  as  evidencing  the  difference  in 
battle,  between  the  two  combatants,  to  mark  the  conduct 
of  British  and  American  officers,  under  circumstances  pre- 
cisely similar.  Whilst  the  battle  raged,  the  flag  of  the 
van  ship  was  carried  away,  and  at  this  moment  she  ceased 
to  fire.  What  had  caused  its  disappearance,  none  could 
tell :  no  other  opinion  could  with  propriety  be  entertained, 
than  that  it  had  been  hauled  down,  with  a  view  to  yield  the 
contest,  and  surrender.  Influenced  by  this  belief,  Law- 
rence, with  a  generosity  characteristic  of  our  officers,  im- 
mediately desisted  from  further  firing.  The  appearance 
of  a  new  flag,  and  a  broadside  from  the  ship  next  the 
Hermes,  was  the  first  intelligence  received  that  such 
was  not  the  fact;  and  the  contest  again  raged  with  renew- 
ed violence.  It  was  but  a  few  minutes,  however,  before 
the  flag  staff  of  the  fort  was  also  carried  away:  but  so  far 
from  pursuing  the  same  generous  course,  that  had  just 
been  witnessed,  the  zeal  of  the  enemy  was  increased,  and 
the  assault  more  furiously  urged.  At  this  moment  Ni- 
cholls  and  Woodbine,  at  the  head  of  their  embattled  train, 
perceiving  what  had  happened,  that  our  "  star-spangled 
banner'*  had  sunk,  at  once  presuming  all  danger  to  have 
subsided,  made  a  most  courageous  sally  from  their  strong 
hold;  and,  pushing  towards  their  vanquished  foes,  were 
already  calculating  on  a  rich  harvest  of  blood  and  plun- 
der; but  a  well-directied  fire  checked  their  progress,  dissi- 
pated their  expectations,  and  drove  them  back,  with  a  ra- 
pidity even  surpassing  the  celerity  of  their  advance. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  inequality  of  force  em- 
ployed on  opposite  sides  of  this  contest,  it  will  appear  a 
matter  of  surprise,  that  the  attack  should  have  terminated 
in  the  way  it  did ; — that  it  was  not  attended  with  success 
to  our  enemy.  This  circumstance  would  be  a  sufficient 
evidence  of  the  bravery  and  correct  conduct  of  its  gallant 
defenders,  were  there  a  total  absence  of  all  other  facts;  but 
a  belief,  that  the  best  way  to  avoid  disaster  was  to  be  in  a 
state  of  readiness  to  meet  it,  and  a  constant  assiduity, 
which  urged  them  forward  day  and  night,  that  they  might 
be  in  a  situation  calculated  for  successful  defence,  are  facts 
remembered,  and  entitle  them  to  the  highest  commenda- 
tion. From  the  bay,  the  attack  was  waged  with  a  force 
of  six  hundred  men,  and  ninety  guns,  of  larger  caliber 
than  any  opposed  to  them;  whilst  upwards  of  four  hun- 
dred Indians  and  other  troops  were  on  the  shore,  in  rear 


CHAPTER  VII.  139 

of  the  fort.  Lawrence's  strength  was  scarcely  a  tenth  of 
the  enemy's.  His  fort,  hastily  prepared  for  defence,  with 
not  more  than  twenty  guns,  was  ill  calculated  for  stubborn 
resistance;  most  of  these  were  of  small  caliber,  whilst 
many,  from  being  badly  mounted,  were  incapable  of  ren- 
dering any  essential  service  in  the  action;  yet,  with  this 
inequality,  he  well  maintained  the  honour  of  his  flag,  and 
compelled  the  enemy,  resting  in  full  confidence  of  success, 
to  retire,  with  the  loss  of  their  best  ship,  and  two  hundred 
and  thirty  men  killed  and  wounded;  whilst  the  loss  sus- 
tained by  the  Americans  did  not  exceed  ten. 

Very  different  were  the  feelings  of  the  leaders  of  this 
expedition,  from  those  which  had  been  entertained  on  set- 
ting out  from  Pensacola,  where  every  thing  had  been  pre- 
pared for  giving  success  to  their  plans,  arid  where  scarcely 
a  doubt  was  entertained  of  the  result.  Numerous  benefits 
were  expected  to  arise  from  a  victory,  not  in  expectancy, 
but  already  looked  to  as  certain — as  an  event  that  could 
not  fail.  From  it,  greater  facility  would  be  given  to  their 
operations ;  while  Mobile,  it  was  expected,  would  fall  of 
course.  This  being  effected,  independent  of  the  strong 
hold  already  possessed  in  Florida,  an  additional  advantage 
would  be  acquired,  calculated  to  prevent  all  intercourse 
with  New  Orleans,  from  this  section  of  the  country,  enable 
them  more  easily  to  procure  supplies,  and,  having  ob- 
tained expected  reinforcements,  to  proceed,  piloted  by  the 
Indians,  across  to  the  Mississippi,  and  cut  off  all  communi- 
cation with  the  western  states.  To  render  the  blow  effec- 
tual, was  important;  that,  by  impressing  at  once  the  inha- 
bitants with  an  idea  of  their  prowess,  the  proclamations 
already  disseminated  might  claim  a  stronger  influence  on 
doubting  minds.  The  force  employed,  and  its  disposition, 
was  calculated  to  attain  these  wished  for  results.  While 
the  attack  should  be  furiously  waged  by  the  ships  from 
the  bay,  and  the  forces  on  the  shore,  the  yells  of  three  or 
four  hundred  savages  in  the  rear,  it  was  calculated  would 
strike  the  defenders  of  this  fort  with  such  panic,  as  to  make 
them,  at  the  first  onset,  throw  down  their  arms,  and  cla- 
mour for  mercy.  This  belief  was  so  sanguinely  entertain- 
ed, that  obstinate  resistance  had  never  been  thought  of. 
Different  was  the  reality — instead  of  triumph,  they  had  met 
defeat.  The  only  badges  of  victory  they  could  present 
their  friends,  with  whom,  but  a  few  days  before,*  with  flat- 
tering promises  they  had  parted,  were  shattered  hulks, 


140  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSONi 

that  could  scarcely  keep  above  the  water,  and  decks  co- 
vered with  the  dead  and  wounded. 

The  three  vessels  that  retired  from  the  contest  were 
considerably  injured,  and  with  difficulty  proceeded  to  sea, 
leaving  Nicholls  and  Woodbine,  with  their  friends  and 
allies  on  shore,  to  make  good  their  retreat,  as  circum- 
stances and  their  own  discretion  should  permit 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  Jackson,  fearing,  from 
every  thing  he  had  learned,  that  an  attack  would  be  made, 
had  set  out  in  a  boat  from  Mobile,  to  visit  Fort  Bowyer, 
to  examine  its  situation,  and  have  such  arrangements 
made  as  would  add  to  its  strength,  and  obtain  that  secu- 
rity which  its  re-establishment  had  been  designed  to  ef- 
fect. He  proceeded  down  the  bay,  and  had  arrived  within 
a  few  miles  of  the  place,  when  he  met  an  express  from 
Lawrence,  bringing  intelligence  of;; the  enemy's  arrival, 
and  requesting  that  assistance  might  be  immediately  sent 
to  his  relief.  The  General  hastened  back,  and  reaching 
Mobile  late  at  night,  despatched  a  brig  with  eighty  men, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Laval.  Not  being  able 
to  reach  his  point  of  destination,  until  the  next  day,  and 
finding  every  place  of  entrance  blocked  up  by  the  besiegers, 
he  ran  his  brig  to  the  land,  determined  to  remain  there 
until  night,  when,  under  cover  of  its  darkness,  he  hoped  to 
succeed  in  throwing*  into  the  fort  himself  and  the  rein- 
forcement under  his  command.  The  battle,  however, 
having  in  the  mean  time  commenced,  presented  new  dif- 
ficulties, and  restrained  the  execution  of  his  purpose, 
unless  he  should  venture  to  encounter  greater  hazard  than 
prudence  seemed  to  sanction.  The  Hermes,  on  being 
driven  from  her  anchorage,  had,  at  the  time  of  her  explo- 
sion, floated  and  grounded  in  a  direction,  which,  from  the 
position  she  occupied,  placed  her  immediately  in  the  rear 
of  the  fort.  This  circumstance  well  accounted  for  the 
mistake  with  which  he  was  impressed,  and  led  Captain 
Laval  to  suppose,  that  the  fort  had  been  blown  up,  and 
that  his  brave  countrymen  had  all  perished.  He  imme- 
diately set  out  for  Mobile,  and  reported  to  the  command- 
ing general  ,the  destruction  and  loss  that  had  happened. 
Jackson  declared  it  was  impossible;  that  he  had  heard  the 
explosion,  and  was  convinced  it  was  on  the  water — not  on 
the  shore.  Perhaps  his  great  anxiety,  more  than  any  re- 
ality, had  constituted  this  refined  and  essential  difference 
in  sound.     If,  however,  the  disaster  communicated  were 


CHAPTER  VII.  14! 

as  reported,  his  own  situation  being  thereby  rendered  pre- 
carious, something  was  necessary  to  be  done  to  repair  the 
loss,  and  regain  a  place,  for  many  reasons  too  important 
to  be  yielded.  His  principal  fears  were,  lest  the  strength 
of  the  enemy  should  be  greatly  increased,  before  his  ex- 
pected reinforcements  could  arrive,  who  would  be  thereby 
enabled  to  extend  his  inroads,  and  paralyze  the  zeal  of  the 
country.  It  was  not  a  time  for  deliberation  as  to  the 
course  most  i.  ■'<?able  to  be  pursued.  He  determined  at 
every  hazard  to  ixtake  the  fort;  and  to  that  end  a  general 
order  was  issued  for  the  departure  of  the  troops.  Every 
thing  was  nearly  in  readiness,  when  a  despatch  arrived 
from  Lawrence,  proclaiming  the  pleasing  intelligence,  that 
all  was  safe,  and  that  the  enemy,  beaten  and  vanquished, 
had  retired. 

The  British  had  now  retired  to  Pensacola,  to  dispose  of 
the  wounded,  refit  their  vessels,  and  be  ready,  as  soon  as 
circumstances  would  permit,  to  make  another  descent,  on 
some  less  guarded  point.  So  long  as  this,  their  only 
place  of  refuge  and  retreat  on  the  southern  coast,  was  left 
in  their  possession,  it  was  impossible  to  calculate  on  the 
consequences  that  might  arise.  The  commanding  gene- 
ral entertained  a  suspicion  that  this  was  merely  a  feint, 
and  that  the  object  of  their  wishes  and  designs,  so  soon  as 
a  sufficient  force  should  arrive,  would  be  New  Orleans.  At 
this  place,  he  believed  his  presence  most  material,  to  as- 
certain and  guard  the  important  passes  to  the  city,  and  to 
concert  some  system  and  plan  of  general  defence.  His 
feelings,  however,  would  not  permit  him  to  depart,  and 
leave  the  settlements  on  the  Mobile  open  to  an  attack, 
from  forces  immediately  in  the  neighbourhood,  which 
might  reduce  them,  and  thereby  gain  a  position  whence 
they  might  obtain  supplies,  and  be  placed  nearer  the  ulti- 
mate point,  against  which,  most  probably,  their  views 
were  intended  to  be  directed.  His  regret  was  indeed 
great,  that  time  after  time,  without  the  least  success,  he 
had  urged  and  entreated  his  government  for  permission 
to  take  possession  of  a  place  where  so  many  dangers 
threatened,  and  where  every  assistance  and  encourage- 
ment was  afforded  the  British;  and  that  regret  was  in- 
creased, now,  when  he  saw  the  very  evils  springing  into 
existence,  to  which  he  had  so  often  endeavoured  to  draw 
their  attention,  and  which  were  jeopardizing  the  safety  of 
the  entire  lower  country.     To  him,  the  defence  of  this 


142  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

district  had  been  entrusted:  it  was  incunnbent  on  him  to 
render  a  just  account  of  his  stewardship,  and  zealously  to 
support  his  well-earned  reputation.  Unless  Pensacola 
were  reduced,  it  was  vain  to  think  of  defending  the 
country:  it  would  be  involved  in  ruin.  Anxiously  con- 
cerned for  the  general  good,  he  could  discern  no  other 
channel  through  which  safety  was  to  be  effected,  than  by 
hazarding,  on  his  own  responsibility,  the  reduction  of 
this  place, — a  rendezvous  for  the  enemy. 

Jackson  and  his  government  had  ever  viewed  this  sub- 
ject in  very  different  lights :  they  were  not  willing  to  risk 
an  act  which  might  involve  the  possibility  of  a  contest 
with  Spain,  for  the  sake  of  removing  what  they  considered 
an  unimportant  grievance:  he  thought  it  of  more  serious 
import,  and  did  not  believe  it  could  afford  even  a  pretext 
for  rupture  between  the  two  nations.  If  Spain,  through 
her  agents,  gave  assistance  and  aid  to  our  enemy,  or  per- 
mitted and  encouraged  a  power  with  whom  she  was  at 
peace  to  be  thus  harassed  and  annoyed,  she  deserved  to 
be  placed  on  the  list  of  enemies,  and  treated  accordingly. 
If,  however,  Great  Britain,  taking  advantage  of  the  de- 
fenceless state  of  her  province,  claimed  to  have  free  egress, 
in  exclusion  of  her  authority,  she  could  have  no  well- 
founded  cause  of  .complaint  against  the  injured  power, 
v/hich  should  claim  to  hold  it,  until  such  time  as,  by 
bringing  a  sufficient  force,  she  might  be  in  a  situation  to 
support  her  neutrality,  and  enforce  obedience  to  her  laws. 
Upon  either  ground,  he  thought  it  might  b.e  sufficiently 
justified.  There  was  one,  however,  on  which  it  could  be 
placed,  where  he  well  knew  nothing  could  result,  beyond 
his  own  injury;  and  on  this  issue  he  was  willing  to  trust 
it.  If  complaint  should  be  made,  his  government,  having 
jiever  extended  to  him  an  authority,  might,  with  pro- 
priety, disavow  the  act;  and,  by  exposing  him  to  censure 
and  punishment,  would  offer  an  atonement  for  the  outrage, 
and  Spain,  in  justice,  could  demand  no  more.  The  at- 
tack on  Mobile  point  was  a  confirmation  of  his  previous 
conjectures,  as  to  the  views  of  the  enemy;  and,  from  that 
moment,  he  determined  to  advance  against,  and  reduce 
Pensacola,  throw  a  sufficient  force  in  the  Barrancas,  hold 
them  until  the  principles  of  right  and  neutrality  were 
better  respected,  and  rest  the  measure  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility. Believing  this  the  only  course  calculated  to  as- 
sure ultimate  security,  he  decided  with  firmness,  and  re- 

41  .7 


CHAPTER  VII.  143 

solved  to  execute  his  intentions  so  soon  as  General  Coffee 
should  arrive  with  the  volunteers  from  Tennessee. 

It  was  now  rumoured,  and  generally  accredited,  that  a 
very  considerable  force  would  shortly  sail  from  England, 
destined  to  act  against  some  part  of  the  United  States; 
where,  none  could  tell;  rumour,  and  public  opinion,  fixed 
its  destination  for  New  Orleans.  The  importance  of  this 
place  was  well  known  to  our  enemy;  it  was  the  key  to  the 
entire  commerce  of  the  western  country.  Had  a  descent 
been  made  a  few  months  before,  it  might  have  been  easily 
taken;  but  the  British  had  confidently  entertained  the  be- 
lief, that  they  could  possess  it  at  any  time,  without  diffi- 
culty. England  and  France  having  ended  their  long 
pending  controversy,  it  was  presumed  that  the  French 
people  of  Louisiana,  sensibly  alive  to  the  great  benefits  the 
English  had  conferred  upon  their  native  country,  would, 
on  their  first  appearance,  hail  their  deliverers,  and  at  once 
become  their  vassals.  Independent  of  this,  they  imagined 
the  black  population  would  afford  the  means  of  exciting 
insurrection  and  massacre,  and  deluging  the  country  in 
blood.  Whether  a  resort  to  this  kind  of  warfare,  which 
involves  the  deepest  wretchedness,  and  equally  exposes  to 
ruin  the  innocent  as  the  guilty, — the  female  as  the  soldier, 
— should  be  sanctioned  by  a  nation  professing  a  high  sense 
of  moral  feeling;  or  whether  a  nation  that  adopts  such  a 
system,  merits  countenance  from  the  civilized  world,  are 
questions  on  which  we  should  not  fear  the  decision  even 
of  an  Englishman,  could  he  but  divest  himself  of  that  ani- 
mosity and  hatred,  which,  from  infancy,  he  learns  to  enter- 
tain towards  the  Americans.  To  this,  and  many  other 
acts  equally  in  violation  of  the  rules  that  should  govern 
honourable  warfare,  may  be  traced  the  cause  of  those  deep- 
rooted  inveteracies  in  the  breasts  of  our  citizens,  towards 
those  of  England,  which  time,  and  a  different  course  of 
conduct,  can  alone  remove.  Why  such  hostility  has  been 
indulged  towards  us,  it  is  difficult  to  determine;  unless 
the  crime  of  our  revolution,  has  disposed  them  to  visit  the 
sins  of  the  father  upon  the  child,  with  a  determination 
they  shall  never  be  forgiven  or  forgotten.  Certain  it  is, 
that  the  United  States  have  received  a  greater  number  of 
insults  and  injuries  from  this  power,  than  from  all  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth  together:  the  hoary  locks  of  a  father, 
torn  off  by  the  merciless  Indian, — the  innocent,  helpless 
female,  bleeding  by  savage  torture, — and  the  unoffending 


\ 


144  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

babe,  dragged  from  the  beating  bosom  of  its  mother,  and 
butchered  in  her  sight,  are  cruelties  that  can  be  traced  to 
British  influence:  yet  these  people  and  ourselves  are  de- 
scended from  the  same  fathers — speak  the  same  language 
— are  governed  by  the  same  laws — rand  are  similar  in  man- 
ners and  customs.  But  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  na- 
tional feeling,  belongs  not  to  the  historian;  it  is  his  duty 
only  to  detail  facts.  The- war  is  over;  peace  is  restored; 
and  the  two  nations,  and  their  citizens,  by  a  mutual  re- 
spect, and  forbearance  towards  each  other,  should  endea- 
vour to  promote  that  friendship  and  intercourse,  which  it 
is  evidently  the  interest  of  both  to  preserve,  and  which,  we 
hope,  may  be  lasting. 

The  expected  reinforcements  were  now  announced. 
General  Coffee,  with  his  brigade,  had  arrived  at  the  cut 
q^,  not  far  from  Fort  St.  Stephens,  on  the  Mobile  river. 
In  addition  to  the  force  with  which  he  commenced  his 
march,  he  had  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  others, 
who  had  followed  and  overtaken  him  at  this  place;  so  that 
his  whole  number  was  now  about  twenty-eight  hundred. 
To  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  an  immediate 
march,  General  Jackson,  on  the  26th  day  of  October,  re- 
paired to  Coffee's  camp.  A  dependence  on  himself  to 
further  the  objects  ,of  the  government  and  the  cause  of  the 
country,  had  been  his  constant  lot  from  the  commence- 
ment of  his  military  career;  and  a  similar  resort,  or  failure 
to  the  enterprise,  was  now  to  be  assayed.  Money  was 
wanted — the  quarter-masters  were  destitute  of  funds;  and 
the  government  credit  was  insufficient  to  procure  the  ne- 
cessary means  to  change  the  position  of  an  army:  thus 
situated,  -with  his  limited  funds,  and  loans  effected  on  his 
own  credit  and  responsibility,  he  succeeded  in  carrying  his 
plans  into  effect,  and  in  hastening  his  army  to  the  place  of 
its  destination  and  usefulness. 

The  difficulty  of  subsisting  cavalry  on  the  route,  render- 
ed it  necessary  that  part  of  the  brigade  should  proceed  on 
foot.  Although  Coffee's  brigade  had  volunteered  in  the 
service  as  mounted  men,  and  expected  no  different  dispo- 
sition would  be  made  of  them,  yet  they  cheerfully  acqui- 
esced in  the  order;  and  one  thousand,  abandoning  their 
horses  to  subsist  as  they  could  on  the  reeds  that  grew 
along  the  river  bottoms,  prepared  to  commence  the 
march.  Being  supplied  with  rations  for  the  trip,  on  the 
2d  day  of  November  the  line  of  march  was  taken  up,  and 


V 


•  CHAPTER  VII.  145 

Pensacola  reached  on  the  6th.  The  British  and  Spaniards 
had  obtained  intelligence  of  the  approach  and  intended  at- 
tack; and  every  thing  was  in  readiness  to  dispute  their 
passage  to  the  town.  The  forts  were  garrisoned,  and  pre- 
pared for  resistance;  batteries  formed  in  the  principal 
streets;  and  the  British  vessels  moored  within  the  bay, 
and  so  disposed  as  to  command  the  main  entrances  which 
led  into  Pensacola. 

The  American  army,  consisting  of  part  of  Coffee's  bri- 
gade, the  regulars,  and  a  few  Indians,  in  all  about  three 
thousand  men,  had  arrived  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  this 
rallying  point  for  our  enemies,  and  formed  their  encamp- 
ment. Before  any  final  step  was  taken,  the  General  con- 
cluded to  make  a  further  application  to  the  governor,  and 
to  learn  what  course,  at  the  present  moment,  he  would 
make  it  necessary  for  him  to  pursue.  To  take  possession 
of  Pensacola,  and  dislodge  the  British,  was  indispensable: 
to  do  it  under  such  circumstances,  however,  as  should  im- 
press the  minds  of  the  Spaniards  with  a  conviction,  that 
the  invasion  of  their  territory  was  a  measure  resorted  to 
from  necessity,  not  choice,  and  from  no  disposition  to  in- 
fringe or  violate  their  neutral  rights,  was  believed  to  be 
essential.  It  was  rendered  the  more  so,  on  the  part  of 
Ja.ckson,  because  a  measure  of  his  own,  and  wanting  the 
sanction  of  his  government.  Previously,  therefore,  to 
having  recourse  to  any  act  of  open  hostility,  he  determined 
once  more  to  try  the  effect  of  negotiation,  that  he  might 
ascertain  certainly  and  correctly,  how  far  the  governor 
felt  disposed  to  preserve  a  good  understanding  between 
the  two  governments. 

Major  Piere  was  accordingly  despatched  with  a  flag,  to 
disclose  the  objects  intended  to  be  attained  by  the  visit, 
and  to  require  that  Forts  Barrancas,  St.  Rose,  and  St. 
Michael,  should  be  immediately  surrendered  to  the  United 
States,  until  Spain,  by  furnishing  a  sufficient  force,  might 
be  able  to  preserve  unimpaired  her  neutral  character.  He 
v/as  charged  by  the  General  with  a  candid  and  explicit 
statement  of  his  views,  and  instructed  to  require  of  the 
governor  a  decisive  and  positive  declaration  of  the  course 
he  intended  to  pursue. 

This  mission  experienced  no  very  favourable  result. 
On  approaching  St.  Michael's,  Major  Piere  was  fired 
upon  and  compelled  to  return.  Whether  this  were  done 
by  the  Spaniards,  or  by  their  allies  and  friends  who  were 

N 


146  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JAdksON. 

sojourning  with  them,  was  not  a  material  inquiry.  The 
Spanish  flag  was  displayed  on  the  fort,  and  under  it  the 
outrage  was  committed:  though  it  was  a  fact  well  ascer- 
tained, that  until  the  day  before  the  British  flag  had  been 
also  associated :  this,  on  the  arrival  of  Jackson,  had  been 
removed,  and  the  colours  of  Spain  left,  which  were  de- 
signed to  aff*ord  protection  to  our  enemies,  and  a  pretext 
for  every  injury.  This  conduct,  so  unprovoked,  and 
withal  so  directly  in  opposition  to  the  principles  and  prac- 
tice of  civilized  warfare,  might  have  well  determined  the 
General  to  abstain  from  further  forbearance,  and  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  views:  but 
a  consciousness,  that  although  the  reduction  of  this  place 
was  required  by  circumstances  of  the  highest  necessity, 
yet  fearing  it  might  become  a  cause  of  national  difficulty, 
he  was  prompted  to  act  with  every  possible  deliberation 
and  caution.  A  sense  of  humanity,  too,  towards  these 
people,  who,  he  was  satisfied,  were  acting  not  from  any 
choice  or  discretion  of  their  own,  but  by  the  authority  of 
the  British,  induced  a  wish  that  the  objects  of  his  visit 
might  be  effected  without  material  injury  to  them.  De- 
termining, therefore,  to  understand  the  governor  fully,  pre- 
viously to  proceeding  to  extremities,  he  again  despatched 
a  letter  to  him,  not  "by  any  of  his  officers,  for  after  such 
perfidy  he  was  unwilling,  and  felt  it  unsafe  to  risk  them, 
but  by  a  Spanish  corporal,  who  had  been  taken  on  the 
route  the  day  before.  By  him,  it  was  required  to  be 
known,  why  the  former  application  which  had  been  made, 
instead  of  being  met  with  a  becoming  spirit  of  concilia- 
tion, had  been  insulted.  In  answer,  he  received  from  the 
governor  a  confirmation  of  the  opinion  he  had  previously 
entertained,  that  what  had  been  done  was  not  properly 
chargeable  on  him,  but  the  English;  that  he  had  no 
agency  in  the  transaction  of  which  he  complained,  and  as- 
sured him  of  his  perfect  willingness  to  receive  any  over- 
tures he  might  be  pleased  to  make.  This  was  joyful 
tidings;  and  no  time  was  to  be  lost  in  meeting  the  offer. 
If  negotiation  should  place  in  his  hands  the  different  for- 
tresses, before  information  of  it  could  be  had  by  the  Bri- 
tish shipping  lying  in  the  bay,  the  outward  channel  might 
be  effectually  stopped,  and  the  means  of  escape  entirely 
cut  off.  Major  Piere  was  accordingly  sent  off,  at  a  late 
hour  of  the  night,  to  detail  to  the  governor  the  reasons 
which  had  rendered  the  present  descent  proper;  and  to  in- 


CHAPTER  VII.  147 

sist  on  the  conditions  already  noticed,  as  alone  calculated 
to  assure  safety  to  the  United  States,  and  give  protection 
to  the  provinces  of  Florida.  He  was  particularly  instruct- 
ed to  impress  on  his  consideration  the  most  friendly  senti- 
ments, ^nd  to  assure  him  that  a  re-surrender  would  be 
made  so  soon  as  Spain,  by  the  arrival  of  a  sufficient  force, 
could  protect  her  territory  from  the  inroads  of  a  power  at 
war  with  the  United  States;  and  which,  through  an 
opening  thus  afforded  to  a  violation  of  the  neutrality  of 
Spain,  was  enabled,  and  had  already  produced  to  her  con- 
siderable injury.  In  his  communica.tion  to  the  governor, 
he  remarks,  "I  come  not  as  the  enemy  of  Spain;  not  to 
make  war,  but  to  ask  peace;  to  demand  security  for  my 
country,  and  that  respect  to  which  she  is  entitled  and 
must  receive.  My  force  is  sufficient,  and  my  determina- 
tion taken,  to  prevent  a  future  repetition  of  the  injuries 
she  has  received.  I  demand,  therefore,  the  possession  of 
the  Barrancas,  and  other  fortifications,  with  all  your  mu- 
nitions of  war.  If  delivered  peaceably,  the  whole  v/ill  be 
receipted  for,  and  become  the  subject  of  future  arrange- 
ment by  our  respective  governments;  while  the  property, 
laws,  and  religion  of  your  citizens  shall  be  respected.  But 
if  taken  by  an  appeal  to  arms,  let  the  blood  of  your  sub- 
jects be  upon  your  own  head.  I  will  not  hold  myself  re- 
sponsible for  the  conduct  of  my  enraged  soldiers.  One 
hour  is  given  for  your  deliberation,  vrhen  your  determina- 
tion must  be  had." 

The  council  was  called,  and  the  propositions  made,  con- 
sidered, when  the  conclusion  was  taken  that  they  could 
not  be  acceded  to.  Soon  as  the  answer  was  received, 
evincing  that  nothing  peaceably  could  be  effected,  Jackson 
resolved  to  urge  his  army  forward;  and,  immediately 
commencing  his  march,  proceeded  to  the  accomplishment 
of  his  object,  determined  to  effect  it,  in  despite  of  danger, 
and  of  consequences. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  army  was  in  mo- 
tion. To  foster  the  idea,  that  he  would  march  and  reach 
the  town  along  the  road,  on  which  he  was  encamped,  a 
detachment  of  five  hundred  men  was  sent  forward,  with 
orders  to  show  themselves  in  this  direction,  with  a  view 
to  amuse  and  deceive  the  enemy;  while,  urging  rapidly 
on,  with  the  strength  of  his  army,  he  reached  Pensacola 
at  a  different  and  unexpected  point.  This  stratagem  suc- 
ceeded: the  British,  looking  for  his  appearance  where  the 


148  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

detachment  was  seen,  had  formed  their  vessels  across  the 
bay,  and  were  waiting  his  approach,  with  their  guns  pro- 
perly bearing:  nor  had  they  an  intimation  to  the  contrary, 
until  our  troops  were  descried  upon  the  beach,  on  the 
east  side,  where  they  were  at  too  great  a  distance  to  be 
annoyed  from  the  flotilla;  and  whence,  pushing  forward, 
they  were  presently  in  the  streets,  and  under  cover  of  the 
houses. 

One  company,  from  the  third  regiment  of  infantry,  with 
two  field  pieces,  formed  the  advance,  led  by  Captain  La- 
val, who  fell,  severely  wounded,  while,  at  the  head  of  his 
command,  he  was  charging  a  Spanish  battery,  formed  in 
the  street.  The  left  column,  composed  of  the  regular 
troops,  the  third,  thirty-ninth,  and  forty-fourth  regiments, 
headed  by  Majors  Woodruff  and  Piere,  formed  the  left, 
next  the  bay.  The  dismounted  volunteers  proceeded 
down  the  street,  next  the  regulars :  Coffee's  brigade  next, 
on  their  right:  the  Mississippi  dragoons,  commanded  by 
CoJonel  Hinds,  and  the  Choctaw  Indians  by  Major  Blue, 
of  the  thirty-ninth,  advanced  on  the  extreme  right  of  all. 
Captain  Laval's  party,  although  deprived  of  their  leader, 
mioved  forward,  and,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  took  pos- 
session of  the  battery  in  their  front.  So  quickly  was  this 
effected,  that  the  Spaniards  had  it  in  their  power  to  make 
but  three  fires,  before  they  were  forced  to  abandon  it. 
From  behind  the  houses  and  garden  fences,  were  constant 
volleys  of  musketry  discharged,  until  the  regulars  arriving, 
met  the  Spaniards,  and  drove  them  from  their  positions. 
The  governor,  panic  struck,  trembling  for  the  safety  of 
his  city,  and  remembering  the  declaration  of  the  General, 
that,  if  driven  to  extremes,  he  should  not  attempt  to  re- 
strain, or  hold  himself  responsible  for  his  enraged  soldiers, 
hastened,  bearing  a  flag  in  his  hand,  to  find  the  com- 
mander, and  seek  to  stay  the  carnage.  He  was  met  by 
Colonels  Williamson  and  Smith,  at  the  head  of  the  dis- 
mounted troops,  when,  with  faltering  speech,  he  entreated 
that  mercy  might  be  extended,  and  promised  to  consent  to 
whatever  terms  might  be  demanded. 

General  Jackson  had  stopped  for  a  moment  at  the  spot 
where  Laval  had  fallen,  and  was  at  this  time  in  the  rear. 
Receiving  information  that  an  offer  had  been  made  by  the 
governor  to  comply  with  every  demand  heretofore  made, 
he  hastened  to  the  intendant  house,  and  obtained  a  confir- 
mation of  what  had  previously  been  communicated  to  him, 


CHAPTER  VII  149 

that  the  town,  arsenals,  and  munitions  of  war,  and  in  fact, 
whatever  was  required,  should  immediately  and  without 
delay  be  surrendered. 

No  time  was  lost  by  General  Jackson  in  procuring  what  re 
was  considered  by  him,  of  vital  importance — the  surren-  ^ 
der  of  the  forts.  Although  greater  benefits  wo:^ld  have 
been  derived,  had  the  success  of  negotiation  placed  them 
privately  in  his  hands,  without  its  being  previously  known 
to  his  enemies,  yet  even  now  their  possession  was  not  to 
be  neglected.  Their  occupancy  was  necessary  still  to  his 
own  security — to  check  any  design  that  might  be  in  agita- 
tion. What  was  the  force  opposed  to  him;  at  what  mo- 
ment reinforcements  might  appear  off  Pensacola,  and 
thereby  give  an  entire  change  to  things,  as  they  at  present 
existed,  were  matters  of  which  no  certain  idea  could  be 
formed.  To  possess  the  Barrancas,  which  lay  fourteen 
miles  to  the  west,  was  a  consideration  of  the  first  impor- 
tance; still,  until  the  town  and  its  fortresses  were  se- 
cured, it  was  improper  to  withdraw  the  army  to  so  great  a 
distance. 

Notwithstanding  the  assurances  given  by  the  governor, 
that  all  differences  would  be  accommodated,  and  every  thing 
insisted  on  agreed  to.  Fort  St.  Michael  w^as  still  withheld. 
Captaipi  Dinkins  was  ordered  to  take  post  on  Mount  St. 
Bernard,  form  his  batteries,  and  reduce  it.  He  was  in 
a  situation  to  act,  when  the  commandant,  Colonel  Sotto, 
ordered  his  flag  taken  down,  and  the  fort  to  be  surren- 
dered. 

It  is  curious  to  observe  the  treachery  of  the  Spaniards, 
and  the  unpardonable  method  they  took  to  indulge  their 
rancour  and  spleen.  Previously  to  striking  his  colours, 
the  commandant  at  St.  Michael  asked  permission  to  dis- 
charge his  guns;  to  this. there  could  be  no  objection,  and 
the  i^idulgence  was  readily  extended;  but,  faithless  and 
cowardly,  he  levelled  and  fired  his  pieces,  charged  with 
grape,  at  a  party  of  dragoons  and  Choctaw  Indians,  w'ho 
were  at  a  small  distance,  v.hich  killed  three  horses  and 
wounded  two  men.  Such  unpardonable  conduct,  inde- 
pendent of  other  wrongs  and  injuries  already  noticed, 
might  have  justified  any  treatment;  the  destruction  of  the 
garrison  would  not  have  been  an  unmerited  chastisement. 
The  General  was  on  his  way  to  Mount  St  Bernard,  where 
his  artillery  was  planted,  when  he  received  intelligence  of 
what  had  been  done.     He  determined  no  longer  to  con- 

N    2 


150  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

fide  in  persons  so  faithless,  and  whose  only  object  seemed 
to  deceive,  but  at  once  to  make  the  sword  the  arbiter  be- 
tween them.  His  cannon  were  already  turned  towards  the 
fort,  the  resolution  taken  to  batter  it  down,  and  carry  it 
by  storm,  when  it  was  announced  by  the  officer  he  had  left 
in  command  at  Pensacola,  that  the  capitulation  had  been 
agreed  on,  and  a  surrender  would  be  made  in  half  an  hour. 
Sensible  of  the  delicate  situation  in  which  he  was  placed, 
and  desirous  to  spare  the  effusion  of  blood,  he  forebore  to 
obey  the  impulse  their  unwarrantable  conduct  had  so 
justly  excited,  and  forthwith  despatched  captain  Dinkins 
to  insist  on  an  immediate  delivery;  at  the  same  time  giving 
him  directions  to  carry  it  by  storm  if  the  demand  was  not 
instantly  complied  with. 

Difficulties  promised  thus  peaceably  to  terminate.  The 
day  being  far  spent,  and  the  General  greatly  indisposed, 
until  the  next  morning,  no  step  could  be  taken  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  Barrancas.  On  the  credit  of  the  go- 
vernor's promises,  made  first  on  their  entrance  to  the 
town,  the  principal  part  of  the  army  had  been  ordered  a 
short  distance  without.  Understanding,  at  St.  Bernard, 
that  what  had  been  required  would  be  done,  and  that  no 
further  delay  met  with,  the  General  had  set  out  to  the  en- 
campment, leaving  Major  Piere  behind,  with  a  sufficient 
force  to  preserve  every' thing  in  safety  and  quietness.  He 
was  astonished,  early  in  the  morning,  to  learn  that  the 
officer  despatched  to  St.  Michael,  the  preceding  evening, 
had,  on  his  arrival,  been  threatened  to  be  fired  on  by  Colo- 
nel Sotto:  possession,  however,  was  yielded,  on  being 
made  to  understand,  that  if  the  fort  were  not  delivered 
instantly,  and  without  further  parley,  it  would  be  carried 
forcibly,  and  the  garrison  put  to  the  sword.  A  capitula- 
tion was  now  agreed  on:  Pensacola,  and  the  different  for- 
tresses, were  to  be  retained,  until  Spain  could  better  piain- 
tain  her  authority;  while  the  rights  and  privileges  of  her 
citizens  were  to  be  respected. 

Every  thing  was  in  readiness,  on  the  following  day,  to 
march  and  take  possession  of  Barrancas  fort.  The  faith- 
less conduct  of  yesterday  had  determined  Jackson  on  the 
execution  of  his  plans,  nor  longer  to  confide  in  Spaniards' 
promises;  but  on  reaching  the  place,  to  carry  it  by  force, 
if  it  were  not  immediately  surrendered.  Major  Piere  was 
ordered  to  give  the  command  of  the  city  to  Colonel  Hayne, 
and  report  himself  at  camp;  previously,  however,  to  re- 


CHAPTER  VII.  151 

tiring,  to  require  of  the  governor  to  execute  an  authority 
to  the  commandant  of  the  fort,  to  deliver  it;  and,  in  the 
event  he  would  not  comply  immediately,  to  arrest  him, 
and  every  public  officer,  and  hold  them  as  prisoners.  The 
order  for  its  delivery  had  been  signed,  and  the  line  of 
inarch  ready  to  be  taken  up,  to  advance  and  receive  it, — 
peaceably,  if  the  order  would  effect  it — forcibly,  if  not — 
when  a  tremendous  explosion  in  that  direction,  followed 
by  two  others,  in  quick  succession,  excited  the  apprehen- 
sion that  all  was  destroyed.  To  ascertain,  certainly, 
whence  the  noise  had  proceeded,  one  of  his  aids  was  des- 
patched, with  two  hundred  men,  to  reconnoitre  and  obtain 
intelligence.  He  presently  returned,  and  confirmed  what 
had  been  previously  apprehended,  that  the  fort  was  blown 
up,  and  that  the  British  shipping  had  retired  from  the 
bay. 

Although  the  repairing  this  place  might  be  productive 
of  numerous  advantages,   as  keeping  the  enemy,  during 
the  expected  descent  on  the  lower  country,  from  having  in 
their  possession  a  point  where  they  might  prepare  their 
expeditions,  and  where,  in  despite  of  every  vigilance  that 
could  be  used,  they  might  obtain  ample  supplies;  yet,  in- 
asmuch as  the  act  was  unauthorized  by  his  government, 
Jackson  felt  himself  restrained  from  incurring  any  expense 
for  the  re-establishment  of  what  had  been  thus  treacher- 
ously destroyed.     Though  disappointed  in  the  object  he 
had  principally   in  view,   he   nevertheless   believed  that 
some  of  the  benefits  intended  and  expected  would  result. 
This  strong  hold,  which  had  so  long  given  protection  to 
the  hostile  savages,  and  where  they  had  been  excited  to 
acts  of  war  and  cruelty,  was   assailed,   and  the  Indians 
taught,  that  even  here,  safety  was  not  to  be  found.     The 
valour  and  good  conduct  of  his  troops  had  impressed  on 
the  minds  of  the  Spaniards  a  respect  for  the  character  of 
his  country,  which,  hitherto,  they  had  not  entertained ; 
and  the  British,  by  being  dislodged,  were  prevented  from 
maturing  and  settling  those  plans  which  were  to  give  ef- 
ficacy to  their  future  operations  against  the  southern  sec- 
tion of  the  Union:  but,  as  the  means  of  maintaining  and 
defending  it  had  been  destroyed,  it  was  unnecessary  to 
think  of  garrisoning  and  attempting  to  hold  it.     It  was 
accordingly  concluded  to  re-deliver  all  that  had  been  sur- 
rendered, and  retire  to  Fort  Montgomery.     Jackson  was 
the  more  disposed  to  adopt  this  course  from  a  belief  that 


152  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  British,  who  had  sailed  from  Pensacola,  would  proba- 
bly make  their  way  to  Fort  Bowyer,  and,  with  a  know- 
ledge of  the  principal  strength  of  the  army  being  away, 
seek  to  aim  a  blow  somewhere  on  the  Mobile.  An  ex- 
press was  immediately  hastened  to  Colonel  Sparks,  who 
had  been  left  in  command  at  this  place,  announcing  what 
had  transpired,  suggesting  apprehensions  for  his  safety, 
and  notifying  him,  in  the  event  of  an  attack,  to  parry  the 
danger  until  the  regular  troops,  who  would  be  urged  for- 
ward with  every  industry,  should  arrive  to  support  him. 

Two  days  after  entering  the  town,  he  abandoned  it.^ 
Previously  to  retiring,  he  wrote  to  Governor  Manrequez; 
and,  after  stating  to  him  the  causes  which  had  induced  him, 
justifiably,  as  he  believed,  to  enter  his  territory,  he  thus 
concluded;  "As  the  Barrancas  and  the  adjacent  fortresses 
have  been  surrendered  to  and  blown  up  by  the  British, 
contrary  to  the  good  faith  I  had  reposed  in  your  pro- 
mises, it  is  out  of  my  power  to  protect  and  guard  your 
neutrality,  as  otherwise  I  should  have  done.  The  enemy 
has  retreated;  the  hostile  Creeks  have  fled  for  safety  to 
the  forest;  and  I  now  retire  from  your  town,  leaving  you 
to  re-occupy  your  forts,  and  protect  the  rights  of  your 
citizens." 

Much  is  due  to  the  calmness  and  intrepidity  of  conduct 
displayed  by  the  troops  in  their  advance  on  the  town, 
against  the  batteries  that  were  formed  in  the  streets,  the 
fort,  and  the  fleet  lying  in  the  bay,  but  more  for  their  or- 
derly, open,  and  generous  conduct  towards  a  people  who 
had  wholly  outraged  every  principle  of  correct  conduct; 
and  who,  even  at  the  moment  when  the  sword  was  made 
the  appeal,  and  the  blow  they  merited  only  stayed  by  hu- 
manity, were  still  pursuing  a  course  of  faithlessness  and 
treachery,  and  clearly  evincing  a  disposition  to  aid  and  as- 
sist our  enemies:  yet,  under  such  circumstances,  which 
certainly  would  have  warranted  a  less  lenient  course,  not 
a  single  irregularity  was  committed,  or  the  rights  of  indi- 
viduals at  all  molested.  So  exemplary  was  the  deport- 
ment of  our  officers,  and  the  conduct  of  our  soldiers,  as  to 
extort  high  compliments  from  the  Spaniards,  and  to  induce 
the  declaration  that  our  Indians  had  behaved  with  more 
decency  and  propriety  than  their  friends,  with  whom  they 
had  just  parted.  When  we  remember,  what  is  undeniably 
the  fact,  that  the  British  had  been  always  well  received  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Florida,  who  had  rendered  them  every 


CHAPTER   VII.  153 

assistance^  and  protection  in  their  power ;  and  who,  from 
their  disposition  to  aid  them,  had  even  brought  difficulties 
upon  themselves,  ingratitude  and  injustice  may  be  well 
charged,  when  it  is  recollected  that  these  friends,  who 
had  been  so  well  regarded,  on  retreating  from  Pensacola, 
carried  off  three  or  four  hundred  slaves,  not  their  own,  in 
despite  of  the  remonstrances  and  repeated  demands  of  the 
owners  to  have  them  restored. 

Our  loss  in  this  expedition  was  quite  inconsiderable. 
The  left  column  alone  met  resistance,  and  had  fifteen  or 
twenty  wounded — none  killed.  It  appears,  indeed,  strange, 
that  three  heavy  pieces  of  artillery,  charged  with  grape 
and  cannister,  and  three  times  fired  against  a  column  ad- 
vancing through  a  narrow  street,  should  not  have  effected 
greater  injury.  Of  the  number  wounded,  was  Lieutenant 
Flournoy,  a  promising  young  man,  who,  having  gone  out 
as  a  volunteer,  was,  on  account  of  his  merit,  promoted  to 
a  lieutenancy  in  the  forty-fourth  United  States'  regiment. 
By  a  cannot  shot,  he  lost  his  leg.  Captain  Laval  being 
too  dangerously  injured  to  be  removed,  was  confided  by 
the  General  to  the  clemency  of  the  governor  of  Pensacola, 
who  humanely  gave  him  that  attention  his  situation  re- 
quired. 

The  Indian  warriors,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  Pensa- 
cola, finding  themselves  abandoned  by  the  British,  fled 
across  the  country,  and  sought  safety  on  the  Appalachico- 
la:  many  were  afforded  shelter  on  board  the  shipping,  from 
which  they  were  shortly  afterwards  re-landed,  to  prosecute 
the  war  after  their  own  manner ;  and  in  their  own  way. 
Jackson  determined  they  should  have  no  rest,  or  respite 
from  danger,  so  long  as  a  warlike  attitude  was  preserved. 
Recent  events  had  shown  them,  that  neither  the  valour  of 
their  allies,  nor  their  own  exertions,  could  afford  them 
protection.  He  believed  it  an  auspicious  moment  to  pur- 
sue them  in  their  retreat;  increase  still  further  their  fears 
and  apprehensions ;  and  effectually  cut  up  that  misplaced 
confidence,  which  had  already  well  nigh  proved  their  ruin. 
Understanding  that  those  who  were  carried  off  from  Pen- 
sacola had  been  landed  on  the  Appalachicola,  and  a  depot 
of  all  necessary  supplies  there  established.  Major  Blue,  of 
the  thirty-ninth  regiment,  was  sent  off,  on  the  16th,  at  the 
head  of  a  thousand  mounted  men,  with  orders  to  follow 
and  attack  them,  and  destroy  any  of  their  villages  he  might 
find  on  his  route.     General  Mcintosh,  of  the  Georgia  mi- 


154  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

litia,  then  in  the  Creek  country,  was  apprised  of  the  des- 
tination, and  directed  to  co-operate,  that  the  savages 
might  be  assailed  and  dispersed,  before  they  should  have 
it  in  their  power  to  attempt  hostilities  against  the  fron- 
tiers. Having  effected  this  object,  they  were  ordered  to 
repair  to  Mobile,  to  aid  in  its  defence. 

Shortly  after  the  American  army  had  retired,  the 
Spaniards  commenced  rebuilding  Forts  Barrancas  and 
St.  Rose,  which  they  had  lost  through  the  impjroper  inter- 
ference of  their  friends.  Anxious  to  regain  that  confidence 
they  had  justly  forfeited,  the  British  offered  their  services 
to  assist  in  the  re-establishment  This  offer  was  refused, 
and  an  answer  returned  by  the  governor,  that  when  as- 
sistance was  in  fact  needed,  he  would  make  application 
to  his  friend  General  Jackson. 

There  was  nothing  now  so  much  desired  by  the  Gene- 
ral, as  to  be  able  to  depart  for  New  Orleans,  where  he  ap- 
prehended the  greatest  danger,  and  where  he  believed  his 
presence  was  most  material.  He  had  already  effected  a 
partial  security  for  Mobile,  and  the  inhabitants  on  its  bor- 
ders; and  such  as  he  believed  might  be  preserved,  by  pro- 
per vigilance  and  activity  in  those  who  were  left  in  com- 
mand. He  determined  to  set  out  on  the  22d  for  the 
Mississippi;  and,  by  his  exertions,  seek  to  place  the 
country  in  such  a  situation  for  defence  as  the  means  within 
his  reach  would  permit.  His  health  was  still  delicate, 
which  almost  av holly  unfitted  him  for  the  duties  he  had  to 
encounter:  but  his  constant  expectation  of  a  large  force 
appearing  soon  on  the  coast,  impelled  him  to  action. 
Added  to  the  fatigues  incident  to  his  station,  he  as  yet 
had  no  brigadier-general  to  relieve  him  of  many  of  those 
duties  which  he  had  neither  time  nor  strength  to  meet. 
General  Winchester  had  been  ordered  to  Join  him.  He 
had  not  yet  arrived,  but  was  daily  looked  for.  In  expec- 
tation of  his  speedy  approach,  Jackson  was  making  every 
necessary  arrangement  for  investing  him  with  the  com- 
mand of  Mobile,  and  for  his  own  departure.  Colonel 
Hayne,  the  inspector-general,  was  despatched  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi  to  examine  whether  in  that  direction 
there  was  any  eligible  site,  where,  by  erecting  batteries, 
the  river  might  be  commanded,  and  an  ascent  prevented, 
if  through  this  route  attempted.  General  Coffee  and 
Colonel  Hinds,  with  the  dragoons  from  the  territory,  were 
ordered  to  march  with  their  commands,  and  take  a  posi- 


CHAPTER  VIII.  1  55 

tion  as  convenient  to  New  Orleans  as  they  could  obtain  a 
sufficiency  of  forage  to  recruit  their  horses;  having  regard 
to  some  central  point,  whence  they  might,  without  loss  of 
time,  proceed  wherever  danger  should  be  most  imminent. 
Every  thing  being  arranged,  and  intelligence  received  that 
General  Winchester  had  reached  the  Alabama  river,  and 
was  near  at  hand,  Jackson,  on  the  22d  day  of  November, 
left  Mobile  for  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  where  he  arrived 
on  the  1st  of  December;  and  where  his  head-quarters 
were,  for  the  present,  established. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Jackson's  correspondence  with  the  governor  of  Louisiana. — His  ad- 
dress to  the  citizens. — Militia  from  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  ad- 
vance; and  general  plans  adopted  for  defence. — Plan  for  filling  de- 
linquencies in  the  army. — British  shipping  arrive  on  the  coast. — ' 
Loss  of  the  Sea  Horse. — Battle  on  the  lake,  and  loss  of  the  gun 
boats. — Jackson  reviews  the  militia. — His  address  to  them. — Deten- 
tion of  his  flag. — Anecdote. — Expresses  sent  to  Generals  Coffee  and 
Carroll. — Declaration  of  Mailial  law  at  New  Orleans. — The  British 
effect  a  landing,  and  Jackson  prepares  to  meet  them. 

General  Jackson  was  now  on  a  new  theatre,  and  soon 
to  be  brought  in  collision  with  an  enemy  different  from 
any  he  had  yet  encountered:  the  time  had  arrived  to  call 
forth  all  the  energies  he  possessed.  His  military  career, 
from  its  commencement,  had  been  obstructed  by  innume- 
rable difficulties,  but  far  greater  were  now  rising  to  his 
view.  His  body  worn  down  by  sickness  and  exhaustion, 
with  a  mind  constantly  alive  to  the  apprehension,  that, 
with  the  means  given  him,  it  would  not  be  in  his  power 
to  satisfy  his  own  wishes,  and  the  expectations  of  his 
country,  were  circumstances  well  calculated  to  depress 
him.  He  was  as  yet  without  sufficient  strength  or  prepa- 
ration, to  attempt  successful  opposition  against  the  nume- 
rous and  well-trained  troops  which  were  expected  shortly 
at  some  unprepared  point,  to  enter  and  lay  waste  the  lower 
country.  What  was  to  be  hoped  from  the  clemency  and 
generous  conduct  of  such  a  foe,  their  march  to  the  city  of 
Washington  already  announced;  while  the  imagination 
portrayed  in  lively  colours  a  repetition  in  the  south  of 


156  LIFK  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

scenes  of  desolation,  eyen  surpassing  what  had  previously 
been  witnessed. 

No  troops,  arms,  or  ammunition  had  yet  descended 
from  the  states  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  His  only  re- 
liance for  defence,  if  suddenly  assailed,  was  on  the  few  re- 
gulars he  had,  the  volunteers  of  General  Coffee,  and  such 
troops  as  the  state  itself  could  furnish.  What  might  be 
the  final  result  of  things,  under  prospects  gloomy  as  the 
present,  should  an  enemy  shortly  appear,  was  not  a  matter 
of  difficult  conjecture.  His  principal  fears  were,  that 
Mobile  might  fall,  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi  be 
gained,  all  communication  with  the  western  states  cut 
off,  and  New  Orleans  thus  unavoidably  be  reduced.  Al- 
though continually  agitated  by  such  forebodings,  he 
breathed  his  fears  to  none.  Closely  locking  all  apprehen- 
sions in  his  own  breast,  he  appeared  constantly  serene, 
and  as  constantly  endeavoured  to  impress  a  general  belief, 
that  the  country  could  and  would  be  successfully  defended. 
The  manifestation  of  such  tranquillity,  and  his  avoAved 
certainty  of  success,  under  circumstances  so  unpropitious, 
excited  strong  hopes,  dispelled  every  thing  like  fear,  and 
impressed  all  with  additional  confidence. 

With  the  remnant  force  he  had  at  command,  and  the  ad- 
ditional strength  to  be  afforded  from  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee, uncertain  in  its  arrival,  undisciplined  and  unarmed, 
to  oppose  an  enemy  who  might  be  already  on  the  coast, 
and  of  whose  exceeding  valour  great  and  wondrous  stories 
had  been  told,  might  have  sunk  into  inaction  a  mind  not 
gifted  with  uncommon  and  extraordinary  energy,  and 
made  it  to  retire  from  a  contest,  where  seemingly  insur- 
mountable difficulties  but  rendered  delusive  every  hope  of 
resistance:  yet,  firm  and  resolute,  an  increase  of  difficul- 
ties but  occasioned  an  increase  of  exertion,  and  Jackson 
entered  on  his  forlorn  undertaking  w4th  no  other  determi- 
nation, than  to  leave  nothing  unassayed  that  might  enable 
him  to  ride  out  the  threatening  storm  in  safety. 

While  engaged  on  the  Mobile,  and  even  while  at  Fort 
Jackson,  he  had  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  the  go- 
vernor of  Louisiana,  persuading  and  urging  him  to  the 
adoption  of  such  measures  as  might  be  calculated  to  give 
security  to  the  state.  From  the  information  derived 
through  this  source,  he  felt  assured  that  little  reliance 
was  to  be  placed  on  the  great  body  of  the  citizens;  and 
that  to  gain  anv  decisive  advantages  from  their  services, 


CHAPTER  VIII.  157 


it  would  be  necessary  to  abandon  every  thing  like  tempo- 
rizing policy,  and  pursue  a  course  at  once  steady  and  un- 
wavering. Some  of  the  inhabitants,  entertaining  a  belief 
that  Florida  would  shortly  be  restored  to  Spain;  and  a 
still  greater  number  being  tremblingly  alive  to  the  opinion 
that  the  country  could  not  be  successfully  defended,  had 
led  many  well  designing  men  astray;  while  Englishmen, 
Spaniards,  and  innumerable  other  foreigners,  feeling  no 
attachment  to  the  government,  were,  at  any  time,  ready  to 
surrender  it  to  any  power  that  might  venture  to  invade. 
The  requisition  made,  had  been  badly  filled ;  many  had 
absolutely  refused,  even  after  being  drafted,  to  enter  the 
ranks.  At  so  eventful  a  crisis  as  that  which  was  fast  ap- 
proaching, it  was  painful  to  discover  so  great  a  want  of 
union  and  disregard  of  duty,  in  those  very  persons  upon 
whom  he  would  be  compelled  to  rely,  on  any  sudden  emer- 
gency. This  reluctance  to  entering  the  field,  there  was  a 
propriety  in  putting  down,  that  the  good  might  not  be  led 
astray  from  privileges  usurped  by  the  designing;  and  to 
convince  the  disaffected  that  those  who  shared  the  care 
and  protection  of  the  government,  should  defend  it  Avhen 
required. 

Governor  Claiborne  had  been  addressed  on  this  subject; 
and,  while  the  necessity  of  discouraging  every  improper 
temper  of  mind  among  the  citizens  was  insisted  upon,  he 
was  exhorted  to  use  his  exertions  in  guarding  every  pass 
from  the  city,  that  the  enemy,  hovering  in  the  gulf,  might 
not  obtain  supplies  from  the  shore.  "I  regret,"  said  he, 
"  to  hear  of  the  discontents  of  your  people :  they  must  not 
exist.  Whoever  is  not  for  us,  is  against  us.  Those  who 
are  drafted  must  be  compelled  to  the  ranks,  or  punished: 
it  is  no  time  to  balance:  the  country  must  be  defended; 
and  he  who  refuses  to  aid,  when  called  on,  must  be  treated 
with  severity.  To  repel  the  danger  with  which  we  are 
assailed,  requires  all  our  energies,  and  all  our  exertions. 
With  union  on  our  side,  we  shall  be  able  to  drive  our  in- 
vaders back  to  the  ocean.  Summon  all  your  energy,  and 
guard  every  avenue  with  confidential  patroles,  for  spies  and 
traitors  are  swarming  around.  Numbers  will  be  flocking 
to  your  city,  to  gain  information,  and  corrupt  your  citi- 
zens. Every  aid  in  your  power  must  be  given  to  prevent 
vessels  sailing  with  provisions.  By  us,  the  enemy  must 
not  be  fed.  Let  none  pass ;  for  on  this  will  depend  our 
safety,  until  we  can  get  a  competent  force  in  the  field   to 


o 


158  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

oppose  attack,  or  to  become  the  assailants.  We  have  more 
to  dread  from  intestine,  than  open  and  avowed  enemies: 
but,  vigilance  on  our  side,  and  all  will  be  safe.  Remem- 
ber, our  watch  word  is  victory  or  death.  Our  country 
must  and  shall  be  defended.  We  will  enjoy  our  liberty, 
or  perish  in  the  last  ditch." 

He  forwarded,  at  the  same  time,  an  address  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Louisiana,  and  endeavoured  to  excite  them  to  a  de- 
fence of  their  rights  and  liberties,  and  to  raise  in  their 
minds  an  abhorrence  of  an  enemy,  who,  by  proclamation, 
and  dishonourable  stratagem,  had  sought  to  promote  dis- 
union, and  to  draw  the  disaffected  to  their  standard.  He 
pointed  out  the  course  the  present  crisis  required  to  be 
adopted,  and  entreated  them  not  to  be  lured  from  their 
fidelity  to  a  country,  of  all  others,  the  freest  and  happiest, 
by  uniting  with  a  foe,  who  sought  a  furtherance  of  his 
views,  by  the  most  disreputable  pretences — by  courting 
the  friendship  and  aid  of  even  traitors,  pirates,  and  rob- 
bers. 

"Your  government,  Louisianians,  is  engaged  in  a  just 
and  honourable  contest,  for  the  security  of  your  individual, 
and  her  national  rights.  The  only  country  on  earth, 
where  man  enjoys  freedom,  where  its  blessings  are  alike 
extended  to  the  poor  and  rich,  calls  on  you  to  protect  her 
from  the  grasping  usui^pation  of  Britain: — she  will  not  call 
in  vain.  I  know  that  every  man,  whose  bosom  beats  high 
at  the  proud  title  of  freeman,  will  promptly  obey  her 
voice,  and  rally  round  the  eagles  of  his  country,  resolved 
to  rescue  her  from  impending  danger,  or  nobly  to  die  in 
her  defence.  He  who  refuses  to  defend  his  rights,  when 
called  on  by  his  government,  deserves  to  be  a  slave — de- 
serves to  be  punished,  as  an  enemy  to  his  country — a 
friend  to  her  foes." 

The  minds  of  the  people  were  thus  gradually  turned 
to  consider  of  the  contest,  in  which  it  was  certainly  ex- 
pected they  were  shortly  to  be  engaged,  that  they  might 
be  ready  and  prepared  to  meet  it,  when  the  period  should 
arrive  to  render  it  necessary.  Preparations  for  collecting, 
in  sufficient  strength,  to  repel  an  invasion,  when  it  should 
be  attempted,  had  been  carried  actively  forward.  The 
fiat  of  the  secretary  of  war  had  been  issued  to  the  gover- 
nors of  the  adjoining  states;  and  Jackson  had  long  since 
anxiously  pressed  them  to  hasten  the  execution  of  the 
order,  and  push  their  forces  to  the  place  of  danger,  with- 


CHAPTER  VIII.  159 

out  delay.    The  ardour  felt  by  the  governor  of  Tennessee 
rendered  any  incentive  unnecessary.     He  was  well  aware 
of  the  importance  of  activity  and  exertion,  and  had  used 
all  the  authority  of  his  office,  to  call  the  requisition  forth, 
and  have  it  in  readiness,  speedily  as  possible. 

Governor  Shelby,    of  Kentucky,   had  been  vigilant  in 
discharge  of  the  duty  required  of  him.     The  necessity  of 
despatch,  in  military  matters,  in  youth  and  more  advanced 
age,  he  had  studied  and  learned  in  the  field  of  battle.    The 
troops  from  his  state  were  organized ; — placed  under  the 
command  of  Major  General  Thomas,  and  directed  to  pro- 
ceed and   resist  the  inroads  of  the  enemy.     It  may  be 
esteemed  a  circumstance  of  good  fortune,  that  at  a  time  so 
perilous  as  that  in  which  the  United  States  were  placed, 
during  the  period  of  his  services,  Shelby  should  have  been 
the  chief  magistrate  of  Kentucky;  a  state  possessing  ample 
resources,  and  which   might  have  slumbered  in  inaction, 
but  for  the  energy  of  him  who  filled  her  executive  chair. 
He  did  not  remain  contented  with  a  discharge  merely  of 
those  duties  which  were  imposed  by  his  office;  but,  feeling 
the  ardour  of  his  youth  revived,  excited  his  citizens  by 
manly  appeals,  and  inspirited  them  by  his  example.    The 
government  had  never  called  upon  the  patriotism  of  this 
state  that  it  had  not  been  met  with  a  becoming  zeal,  and 
cheerfully  and  promptly  acquiesced  in  by  the  people.   The 
bravery,  and  promptitude,  with  which  they  crowded  to  the 
American  standard,  at  the  onset  of  danger,   where  they 
firmly  supported  the  honour  of  the  nation,  enduring  cold, 
and  hunger,  and  every  privation,  merit  to  be  remembered, 
and  entitle  her  citizens  to  the  gratitude  of  the  country. 

General  Carroll  had  issued  orders  to  his  division, 'and, 
on  the  19th  of  November,  the  day  appointed  for  their  ren- 
dezvous, twenty-five  hundred  of  the  yeomanry  of  the  state 
appeared  at  Nashville;  and,  in  eight  days,  embarked  on 
board  their  boats,  and  directed  their  way  to  the  place  of 
their  destination.  To  the  industry  of  General  Carroll,  in 
hastening  those  arrangements,  which  enabled  his  division 
so  promptly  to  depart,  every  respect  is  due;  for,  to  his  for- 
tunate arrival,  is  greatly  to  be  attributed  the  reason  that 
success  did  not  result  to  the  enemy. 

The  militia,  from  those  two  states,  were  highly  respec- 
table for  their  numbers,  and  were  commanded  by  officers 
who  carried  with  them  entire  confidence.  In  bravery,  they 
were  not  surpassed  by  any  troops ;  yet  were  they  without 


160  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

experience  or  discipline,  and  indifferently  armed.  Many 
had  procured  muskets  and  bayonets;  though  the  greater 
part  of  them  had  arms  capable  of  rendering  little  or  no 
service.  To  remedy  their  want  of  discipline  was  attend- 
ed with  some  difficulty,  on  account  of  the  slender  means 
afforded  for  instruction,  while,  in  boats,  they  were  de- 
scending the  river.  Carroll's  anxiety  for  the  respectable 
appearance  of  his  troops,  and  a  still  stronger  desire  enter- 
tained, that  they  might  be  in  a  situation  for  immediate 
action,  if  necessity,  on  his  arrival,  should  require  it,  led 
him  to  seize  even  on  the  limited  opportunities  for  improve- 
ment that  were  within  his  reach.  Whenever,  from  ad- 
verse winds,  K'^  was  compelled  to  stop,  his  men  were  im- 
mediately brought  to  receive  every  information  that  could, 
under  such  circumstances,  be  communicated;  and  often, 
while  floating  with  the  stream,  the  decks  of  the  boats 
formed  a  field  for  their  manoeuvres.  Although  in  this 
way,  partial  progress  was  made,  and  some  advantages 
gained,  yet  were  they  inconsidertible ;  for  still  were  they 
but  militia-men,  and  unqualified  to  meet  the  veteran  troops 
v/ith  which  they  were  going  to  contend. 

Although  General  Jackson  had  obtained  his  successes 
heretofore  with  troops  of  this  description,  yet  he  was  far 
from  entertaining  a  belief  that  they  could  be  relied  on  for 
manoeuvring  in  an  open  field,  against  troops  who  where 
skilled,  and  inured  to  war.  None  knew  better  the  point 
of  exertion  to  which  militia  could  be  strained;  that  while 
successful  and  resting  with  confidence  in  themselves,  none 
could  effect  more;  but  when  dispirited,  they  became  a 
useless  mass.  Taught  by  a  recollection  of  the  difficulties 
he  had  heretofore  encountered,  and  a  knowledge  that 
forces  of  this  description  are  ever  capricious  and  refrac- 
tory, he  had  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  secretary  of  war, 
a  new  and  different  course  from  what  had  been  before  pur- 
sued, as  more  efficient,  less  expensive,  and  better  calcu- 
lated for  the  purposes  of  defence.  In  a  letter  to  him,  of 
the  20th  of  November,  1814,  he  observes,  "Permit  me  to 
suggest  a  plan,  which,  on  a  fair  experiment,  will  do  away 
or  lessen  the  expenses,  under  the  existing  mode  of  calling 
militia  forces  into  the  field.  Whenever  there  happens  to 
be  a  deficiency  in  the  regular  force,  in  any  particular 
quarter,  let  the  government  determine  on  the  necessary 
number:  this  should  be  apportioned  among  the  different 
states,  agreeably  to  their  respective  representations,  and 


CHAPTER  VIII.  161 

called  into  service  for,  and  during  the  war.  The  quota 
•wanted  will,  in  my  opinion,  be  soon  raised  from  premiums 
offered  by  those  who  are  subject  to  militia  duty,  rather 
than  be  harassed  by  repeated  drafts..  In  the  mean  time, 
let  the  present  bounty,  given  by  the  government,  be  also 
continued.  If  this  be  done,  I  will  ensure  that  an  effective 
force  shall  soon  appear  in  every  quarter,  amply  sufficient 
for  the  reduction  of  Canada,  and  to  drive  all  our  enemies 
from  our  shores." 

Such  was  the  course  of  things,  and  such  the  plans  which 
were  in  progress  for  the  security  and  safety  of  the  country, 
when  the  General  reached  New  Orleans.  The  period  was 
too  momentous  to  afford  a  respite  from  business;  and  he 
immediately  adopted  such  measures  as  could  be  earliest 
effected,  and  which  were  best  calculated  for  resistance  and 
defence. 

The  legislature  of  Louisiana  were  in  session;  and, 
through  the  governor,  had  been  informed  of  the  situation, 
condition,  and  strength  of  the  country,  and  of  the  necessity 
of  calling  all  its  resources  into  active  operation:  but,  ba- 
lancing in  their  decisions,  and  uncertain  of  the  best  course 
to  be  pursued  to  assure  protection,  they,  as  yet,  had  re- 
solved upon  nothing  promising  certainty  and  safety,  or 
calculated  to  infuse  tranquillity  and  confidence  in  the  pub- 
lic mind.  The  arrival  of  Jackson,  however,  produced  a 
new  aspect  in  affairs.  His  activity  and  zeal  in  prepara- 
tion, and  his  reputation  as  a  brave  and  skilful  commander, 
had  turned  all  eyes  towards  him,  and  inspired  even  the 
desponding  with  a  confidence  they  had  not  before  felt. 

The  volunteer  corps  of  the  city  were  reviewed,  and  a 
visit,  in  person,  made  to  the  different  forts,  to  ascertain 
their  situation  and  capability  for  defence,  and  the  reliance 
that  might  be  had  on  them,  to  repel  an  enemy's  advance. 
Through  the  lakes  large  vessels  could  not  pass:  should  an 
approach  be  attempted  through  this  route,  in  their  barges, 
it  might  be  met  and  opposed  by  the  gun  boats  which  al- 
ready guarded  thio  passage;  but  if,  unequal  to  the  con- 
test, they  should  be  captured,  it  would,  at  any  rate,  give 
timely  information  of  a  descent,  which  might  be  resisted 
at  their  landing,  and  before  an  opportunity  could  be  had 
of  executing  fully  their  designs.  The  Mississippi  was 
looked  upon  as  the  most  probable  pass  through  which 
might  be  made  an  attempt  to  reach  the  city;  and  here 
were  in  progress  suitable  preparations  for  defence. 
o  2 


162  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

We  have  already  noticed  that  Colonel  Hayne  had  been 
despatched  from  Mobile  with  directions  to  view  the  Mis- 
sissippi near  its  mouth,  and  report  if  any  advantageous 
position  could  be  found  for  the  erection  of  batteries;  and 
whether  the  re-establishment  of  the  old  fort  at  the  Balize 
would  command  the  river,  in  a  way  to  prevent  its  being 
ascended.  That  it  could  not  be  relied  on  for  this  purpose, 
the  opinions  of  military  men  had  already  declared.  Ge- 
neral Jackson  was  always  disposed  to  respect  the  decisions 
of  those,  who,  from  their  character  and  standing,  were  en- 
titled to  confidence;  yet,  in  matters  of  importance,  it 
formed  no  part  of  his  creed  to  attach  faith  to  the  state- 
ments of  any,  where,  the  object  being  within  his  reach,  it 
was  in  his  power  to  look  to  the  fact,  and  satisfy  himself. 
Trusting  implicitly  in  Colonel  Hayne  as  a  military  man, 
who,  from  proper  observation,  could  infer  correct  conclu- 
sions, he  had  despatched  him  thither  to  examine  how  far 
it  was  practicable  to  obstruct  and  secure  this  channel 
The  report  was  confirmatory  of  previous  information  re- 
ceived, that  it  was  incapable,  from  its  situation,  of  effect- 
ing any  such  object. 

Fort  St.  Philip  was  now  resorted  to  as  the  lowest  point 
on  the  river  where  the  erection  of  a  fortification  could  be 
at  all  serviceable.  The  General  had  returned  on  the  9th, 
from  a  visit  to  this  place,  which  he  had  ordered  to  be  re- 
paired and  strengthened.  The  commanding  officer  was 
directed  to  remove  every  combustible  material  without 
the  fort;  to  have  two  additional  platforms  raised;  and  the 
embrasures  so  enlarged  that  the  ordnance  might  have  the 
greatest  possible  sweep  upon  their  circles,  and  be  brought 
to  bear  on  any  object  wdthin  their  range  that  might  ap- 
proach either  up  or  down  the  river.  At  a  small  distance 
below,  the  Mississippi,  changing  its  course,  left  a  neck  of 
land  in  the  bend,  covered  with  timber,  and  which  ob- 
structed the  view.  From  this  point  down  to  where  old 
Fort  Bourbon  stood,  on  the  west  side,  the  growth  along 
the  bank  was  directed  to  be  cut  away,  that  the  shot  from 
St.  Philip,  ranging  across  this  point  of  land,  might  reach 
an  approaching  vessel  before  she  should  be  unmasked 
from  behind  it.  On  the  site  of  Bourbon  was  to  be  thrown 
up  a  strong  work,  defended  by  five  twenty-four  pounders, 
which,  with  the  fort  above,  would  be  calculated  to  expose 
an  enemy  to  a  cross  fire,  for  half  a  mile.  A  mile  above 
St  Philip  was  to  be  established  a  work,  which,  in  con- 


CHAPTER   VIII.  16S 

junction  with  the  others,  would  effectually  command  the 
river  for  two  miles.  At  Terre  au  Boeuf,  and  at  the  En- 
glish turn,  twelve  miles  below  the  city,  were  also  to  be 
taken  measures  for  defence;  Avhere  it  was  expected  by 
Jackson,  with  his  flying  artillery  and  fire  ships,  he  would 
be  able  certainly  to  arrest  the  enemy's  advance.  This 
system  of  defence,  properly  established,  he  believed, 
would  ensure  security  from  any  attack  in  this  direction. 
Fort  St.  Philip,  with  the  auxiliary  batteries  above  and  be- 
low it,  would  so  concentrate  their  fires,  that  an  enemy 
could  never  pass  without  suffering  greatly,  and  perhaps 
being  so  shattered  that  they  would  fall  an  easy  prey  to 
those  defences  which  were  still  higher  up  the  river.  The 
essential  difficulty  was  to  have  them  commenced  and 
speedily  finished.  On  returning,  he  hastened  to  apprize 
the  governor  of  his  views,  and  of  his  arrangements,  and 
entreated  him  to  aid  in  their  furtherance.  It  was  propos- 
ed to  submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  the  legislature,  and 
to  prevail,  if  possible,  with  the  planters,  to  furnish  their 
slaves,  by  whom,  alone,  such  work  could,  in  so  insalu- 
brious a  climate,  be  safely  executed.  "  If  what  is  proposed 
be  performed,"  said  he,  "I  will  stand  pledged  that  the  in- 
vaders of  your  state  shall  never,  through  this  route,  reach 
your  city."  He  desired  to  be  informed,  early,  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  application,  and  to  know  how  far  the  legislature 
would  be  disposed  to  extend  their  fostering  care  to  the  ob- 
jects suggested;  that,  in  the  event  of  failure,  he  might 
have  recourse  to  such  resources  as  were  within  his  reach. 
"But,"  added  he,  "not  a  moment  is  to  be  lost.  With 
energy  and  expedition,  all  is  safe: — -delay,  and  all  is  lost'* 

Aware  of  approaching  danger,  the  views  of  the  General 
had  been  met  with  becoming  zeal,  and  necessary  measures 
taken,  to  have  the  selected  points  for  defence  completed  in 
the  shortest  possible  time. 

On  Lakes  Borgne  and  Pontchartrain,  an  equally  strong 
confidence  was  had,  that  all  would  be  safe  from  invasion. 
Commodore  Patterson,  who  commanded  the  naval  forces, 
had  executed  every  order  with  promptness  and  activity. 
Agreeably  to  instructions  received  from  the  commanding 
general,  to  extend  to  all  the  passes  on  the  lakes,  every 
protection  in  his  power,  Captain  Patterson  had  sent 
out  the  gun  boats,  under  Lieutenant  Jones.  From  their 
vigilance  and  capability  to  defend,  great  advantages  were 
calculated  to  arise ;  added  to  which,  the  Rigolets,  the  com- 


164  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

munication  between  the  two  lakes,  was  defended  by  Petit 
Coquille  Fort,  a  strong  work,  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tain Newman,  which,  when  acting  in  conjunction  with  the 
gun  boats,  it  was  supposed  would  be  competent  to  repel 
any  assault  that  might  there  be  waged.  The  prospects  of 
defence  had  been  improved  by  detachments  sent,  with  or- 
ders to  fell  timber  across  every  bayou  and  creek,  that  led 
out  of  the  lakes,  and  through  which  a  passage  for  boats 
and  barges  could  be  afforded ;  and  to  increase  the  obstruc- 
tion, by  sinking  frames  in  their  beds,  and  filling  them 
with  earth.  Guards  and  videttes  were  posted  in  different 
directions  to  give  the  earliest  information  of  every  thing 
that  passed.  In  despite,  however,  of  these  precautionary 
measures,  treachery  opened  a  way,  and  pointed  the  en- 
trance of  the  enemy  to  a  narrow  pass,  through  which  they 
effected  a  landing,  and  reached  previously  to  being  disco- 
vered, the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 

Such  were  the  measures  adopted  for  the  protection  of 
Louisiana  against  an  attack,  which,  although  hitherto 
resting  in  conjecture,  was  supported  by  too  many  strong 
circumstances  to  admit  of  doubt.  Information  of  a  con- 
siderable force  having  left  England,  filled  with  high  hopes 
and  expectations — the  attack  on  Fort  Bowyer,  and  the  in- 
flammatory proclamations  already  published,  with  anony- 
mous letters  received  from  persons  in  the  West  Indies 
and  Pensacola,  known,  and  to  be  relied  on,  all  tended  io- 
unfold  the  views  of  the  enemy,  and  dissipate  every  thing 
of  doubt  as  to  their  designs.*  But  the  time  was  at  hand 
when  conjecture  was  giving  place  to  certainty;  when  the 
intentions  of  the  invaders  were  fully  developing  them- 
selves; and  the  fact  fairly  presented,  that  New  Orleans 
must  fall,  unless  the  brave  men  associated  should  stand 
firmly  in  her  defence,  resolved  to  justify  the  high  expecta- 
tions which  had  been  formed  of  their  valour.  Certain  in- 
formation was  at  hand,  of  an  English  fleet  being  now  off 
Cat  and  Ship  Island,  and  within  a  short  distance  of  the 
American  lines,  where  their  strength  and  numbers  were 
daily  increasing. 

Lieutenant  Jones,  in  command  of  the  gun  boats  on 
Lake  Borgne,  was  directed  to  reconnoitre,  and  ascertain 
their  disposition  and  force;  and,  in  the  event  they  should 
attempt,  through  this  route,  to  effect  a  disembarkation, 

•  See  Note  B. 


CHAPTER    VIII.  J  65 

to  retire  to  the  Rigolets,  and  there,  with  his  flotilla,  make 
an  obstinate  resistance,  and  contend  to  the  last.  He  re- 
mained off  Ship  Island,  until  the  12th  of  December,  when, 
understanding  the  enemy's  forces  were  much  increased, 
he  thought  it  advisable  ^.o  change  his  anchorage,  and  retire 
to  a  position  near  Malheureux  Island.  This  was  rendered 
the  more  necessary,  because  affording  a  safer  position; 
and  in  the  event  of  being  attacked,  a  better  opportu'nity  of 
making  good  his  retreat  to  the  Rigolets,  where  alone  he 
was  instructed  to  attempt  opposition.  Whoever  looks 
upon  a  map  of  the  country,  will  at  once  discover  the  im- 
portance of  this  place  if  driven  into  action  with  a  greatly 
superior  force.  By  reaching  it,  the  gun  boats  would  be 
enabled  to  present  as  formidable  an  opposition  as  could 
be  waged  by  any  force  that  could  be  brought  against  them. 
On  the  iSth  December,  Jones  discovered  the  enemy's 
barges  directing  their  way  towards  Pass  Christian.  He 
was  not  long  in  doubt,  as  to  the  object  probably  in  view; 
for,  although  at  first  it  was  supposed  to  be  "  a  disembarka- 
tion, intended  to  be  landed  there,  yet,  on  passing  it,  and 
pursuing  their  course  still  further  westwardly,  he  at  once 
concluded  an  attack  on  the  gun  boats  was  designed."  His 
orders  left  him  no  discretion  as  to  the  place  he  should 
meet  and  fight  them.  Indeed,  his  flotilla,  although  quite 
inconsiderable  in  numbers,  was  of  too  much  consequence, 
at  this  juncture,  to  be  inadvertently  risked,  or  in  fact  risked 
at  all,  unless  under  circumstances  affording  a  decided  su- 
periority. In  no  other  way  was  this  to  be  obtained,  than 
by  reaching  the  point  to  which  he  had  been  ordered: 
this  he  endeavoured  to  effect,  as  soon  as  he  became  satis- 
fied of  what  was  intended  by  their  present  movement. 
Weighing  his  anchors,  with  the  design  of  reaching  the 
position  referred  to  in  his  orders,  he  soon  discovered  it  to 
be  wholly  impracticable.  A  strong  wind  having  blown  for 
some  days  to  the  east,  from  the  lake  to  the  gulf,  had  so 
reduced  the  depth  of  water,  that  the  best  and  deepest 
channels  were  insufficient  to  float  his  little  squadron. 
The  oars  were  resorted  to,  but  without  rendering  the  least 
assistance:  it  was  immoveable.  Recourse  was  now  had 
to  throwing  every  thing  overboard  that  could  be  spared, 
to  lighten  and  bring  them  off;  all,  however,  was  ineffec- 
tual,— nothing  could  afford  relief.  At  this  moment  of  ex- 
treme peril  and  danger,  the  tide  coming  suddenly  in, 
relieved  from  present  embarrassment,   and  lifting  them 


166  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

from  the  shoal,  they  bore  away  from  the  attack  meditated ; 
directed  their  course  for  the  Rigolets,  and  came  to  anchor 
at  one  o'clock  the  ntxt  morning  on  the  west  passage  of 
Malheureux  isle;  where,  at  day  dawn,  they  discovered  the 
pursuit  had  been  abandoned. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the  enemy's  barges, 
lying  nine  miles  to  the  east,  suddenly  weighed  their  an- 
ch'ors;  and,  getting  under  way,  proceeded  westwardly  to 
the  pass,  where  our  gun  boats  still  lay.  The  same  diffi- 
culty experienced  yesterday  was  now  encountered.  Per- 
ceiving the  approach  of  the  enemy,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  retreat;  but  in  vain.  The  wind  was  entirely  lulled,  and 
a  perfect  calm  prevailed;  while  a  strong  current  setting  to 
the  gulf,  rendered  every  effort  to  retire  unavailing.  No 
alternative  was  at  hand;  but  a  single  course  was  left;  to 
meet  and  fight  them.  At  once  the  resolution  was  adopted, 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  best  position  they  could  obtain, 
wait  their  approach,  and  defend  themselves,  whilst  there 
"was  a  hope  of  success.  The  line  was  formed,  with  springs 
on  the  cables,  and  all  were  waiting,  composedly,  the  ar- 
rival of  a  foe,  who  imagined  himself  advancing  to  an  easy 
conquest  The  contest,  in  so  open  and  unfavourable  a 
situation,  and  against  so  superior  a  force,  promised,  in- 
deed, to  be  an  unequal  one:  yet  the  firmness  and  bravery 
which  had  always  characterized  our  fearless  tars  in  battle, 
were,  on  this  occasion,  not  to  be  tarnished.  An  unfortu- 
nate state  of  things,  which  they  could  not  control,  had 
brought  them  into  battle  at  a  moment,  and  under  circum- 
stances, their  discretion  did  not  approve:  but,  being 
inevitable,  every  mind  was  determined  on  a  desperate 
stand;  and  still,  though  beaten,  to  preserve  unsullied  their 
reputation, — their  flag  from  dishonour. 

Forty-three  boats,  mounting  as  many  cannon,  with 
twelve  hundred  chosen  men,  well  armed,  constituted  the 
strength  of  the  assailants.  Advancing  in  extended  line, 
they  were  presently  in  reach :  and,  at  half  after  eleven 
o'clock,  the  action  became  general.  Owing  to  a  strong 
current,  two  of  the  boats,  156  and  163,  were  unable  to 
keep  their  anchorage,  and  floated  about  a  hundred  yards 
in  advance  of  the  line.  This  circumstance  was  unfortu- 
nate; for  although  it  was  by  no  means  to  be  calculated, 
that  victory  could  be  attendant  on  a  conflict,  where 
strength  and  numbers  were  so  disproportionate,  yet, 
could  the  line  have  been  preserved,  the  chances  for  de- 


CHAPTER  VIII.  167 

fence  would  have  been  increased — the  opportunity  more 
favourable  for  inflicting  injury,  and  crippling  the  foe,  while 
the  period  of  contest  would  have  been  protracted.  Every 
moment  this  could  be  prolonged  would  have  proved  ad- 
vantageous; for  soon  as  the  wind  should  spring  up,  which 
yet  continued  lulled,  the  boats  would  be  rendered  more 
manageable,  and  an  opportunity  afforded  of  retiring  from 
the  battle,  whenever  the  result  promised  to  become  disas- 
trous. 

The  enemy  advanced  in  three  divisions.  Our  gun  boats 
formed  in  a  line,  were  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Jones, 
who,  on  board,  No.  156,  occupied  the  centre.  No  162 
and  163  rested  on  his  left,  under  the  direction  of  Lieu- 
tenant Spedden  and  Sailing-master  Ulrich;  on  his  right 
was  No.  5  and  ^.'J,  commanded  by  Sailing-master  Ferris 
and  Lieutenant  M*Iver.  The  centre  division  of  the 
enemy,  led  by  the  senior  officer  of  the  expedition.  Captain 
Lockyer,  bore  down  on  No.  156,  the  centre  of  our  line, 
and  twice  attempting  to  board,  was  twice  repulsed  with 
an  immense  destruction  of  both  officers  and  crew,  and  the 
loss  of  two  of  their  boats  which  were  sunk:  one  a  seventy- 
four's  launch,  crowded  with  men,  went  down  immediately 
along  side  of  the  gun  boat.  Jones  being  too  severely 
wounded  longer  to  maintain  the  deck,  retired,  leaving  the 
command  with  George  Parker,  who  no  less  valiantly  de- 
fended his  flag,  until  badly  wounded,  he  was  also  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  post;  and  soon  after  the  boat  was 
carried.  No.  163,  though  ably  defended,  was  also  taken ; 
and  the  guns  of  both  turned  on  No.  162,  and  5,  which 
also  surrendered;  and  last  of  all  No.  23,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  M'lver.  Thus  in  detail  was  our  little  squadron, 
after  a  conflict  of  nearly  an  hour,  lost;  a  conflict  in  which 
every  thing  was  done  that  gallantry  could  do,  and  nothing 
unperformed  that  duty  required;  but  it  was  a  disaster 
which,  under  all  the  circumstances,  could  not  be  avoided. 
The  calm  which  prevailed,  and  the  unwieldly  condition  of 
the  boats  which  prevented  any  management  by  the  oars, 
took  away  all  opportunity  of  their  aiding  and  sustaining 
each  other;  while  the  enemy's  barges,  with  great  facility, 
were  able  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  of  position: 
besides  this,  from  our  centre  gun  boat,  much  aid  was  ob- 
tained; having  carried  her,  the  flag  was  kept  flying,  and 
under  it,  her  guns  Avere  used  against  the  other  boats,  a 
circumstance  which  was  not  discovered  for  some  time, 


168  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

nor  until  after  repeated  discharges  of  her  cannon  had  been 
made,  and  material  injury  produced. 

The  commandant  was  ably  supported  by  the  officers  as- 
sociated with  him.  Lieutenants  Spedden  and  M'lver 
"were  wounded;  the  former  in  both  arms,  and  in  one  so 
severely,  as  to  be  compelled  to  have  it  amputated:  yet 
this  valiant  officer  to  the  last  continued  his  orders;  nor 
did  the  latter  quit  for  a  moment  his  post.  Midshipmen 
Cauley  and  Reynolds,  young  men  of  spirit  and  promise, 
fell  victims  to  the  wounds  received  in  this  contest.  But  it 
is  unnecessary  to  take  up  the  time  of  the  reader  in  com- 
mendation of  this  Spartan  band :  their  bravery  and  good 
conduct  will  be  long  remembered  and  admired,  and  excite 
emotions  much  stronger  than  language  can  paint.  The 
great  disparity  of  force  between  the  combatants,  added  to 
the  advantages  the  enemy  derived  from  the  peculiar  con- 
struction of  their  boats,  which  gave  them  an  opportunity 
to  take  any  position  that  circumstances  and  safety  directed, 
while  the  others  lay  wholly  unmanageable,  presents  a  cu- 
rious and  strange  result;  that,  while  the  American  loss 
was  but  ten  killed,  and  thirty-five  wounded,  that  of  their 
assailants  was  not  less  than  three  hundred.  The  British 
have  never  presented  any  report  upon  this  subject:  but, 
from  every  information,  and  from  all  the  attendant  cir- 
cumstances of  the  battle,  it  was  even  believed  to  have 
exceeded  this  number;  of  which,  a  large  proportion  was 
^officers.* 

The  British  returned  to  their  shipping,  at  Cat  Island, 
with  their  prisoners,  carrying  with  them  a  convincing  ar- 
gument, to  do  away  the  belief  with  which  they  had  arrived, 
that,  in  this  section  of  country,  the  inhabitants  were  wait- 
ing, with  open  arms,  to  receive  them. 

This  disaster  was  announced  to  General  Jackson,  while 
on  a  visit  to  the  lakes,  whither  he  had  gone  to  examine  the 
situation  of  the  different  works,  there  erected  and  in  pro- 
gress. He  heard  it  with  much  concern;  for  on  it  impor- 
tant considerations  depended.  The  means  of  watching 
the  enemy,  and  ascertaining  his  projects,  were  now  cut 

Boats.  Men.  Guns. 

The  British  had    43  1200  43 

The  Americans       5  182  23 

Difference  38  1018  20 


CHAPTER  VIII.  169 

off,  and  the  necessity  imposed  of  resorting  for  defence  and 
safety,  in  this  direction,  to  entirely  different  means. 

Aided  by  ours,  and  the  great  number  of  their  own  boats, 
his  fears  for  the  safety  "of  Mobile  were  much  increased. 
The  apprehension  which  he  had  constantly  entertained  for 
this  place  were  of  the  most  lively  kind.  Although  he 
had  every  confidence  in  the  gallant  officer  who  commanded 
at  Fort  Bowyer,  yet  he  well  knew  how  inefficient  were  the 
exertions  of  a  brave  man,  when  assailed  by  superior 
strength  and  numbers.  The  importance  of  the  place  and 
its  security,  was  to  him  a  matter  of  the  greatest  concern. 
It  seems  to  have  been  an  object  that  never  sufficiently 
fastened  itself  on  the  consideration  of  the  enemy,  or  in- 
deed our  own  government.  His  own  apprehensions  of  an 
invasion  here,  as  affecting  much  more  seriously  the  inte- 
rest of  the  lower  country,  was  to  him  a  cause  of  constant 
uneasiness.  He  felt  confident,  that  while  this  point  re- 
mained safe,  so  might  the  country  adjacent;  but  if  it  fell, 
the  Indians  jnight  again  be  excited, — the  settlements  on 
the  Mobile  and  Alabama  rivers  become  tributary,  and 
New  Orleans  be  involved  in  the  general  ruin.  Deeply 
impressed  with  the  inaportance  of  properly  defending  this 
place,  he  had  heretofore  brought  to  the  view  of  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  adopting  such 
a  course  as  should  place  it  entirely  out  of  the  reach  of 
danger.  To  effect  this,  he  proposed  that  a  large  frigate, 
mounting  forty-four  guns,  which,  for  some  cause,  to  him 
unknown,  had  been  left  on  the  stocks,  at  Tchifonte,  in  an 
unfinished  state,  should  be  completed,  and  applied  to  this 
purpose.  "Let  her,"  he  remarked,  "be  placed  in  the 
Navy  Cove,  which  will  protect  the  rear  of  the  fort;  and 
my  life  upon  it,  ten  thousand  troops,  and  all  the  British 
fleet,  cannot  take  the  place,  nor  enter  the  bay.  This  will 
be  their  point  of  attack;  if  carried,  they  will  penetrate  the 
Indian  nation, — there  make  a  stand,  and  incite  the  savages 
to  war,  and  the  slaves  to  insurrection  and  massacre; — 
penetrate,  if  they  can,  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  arrest  all  communication.  If  they  succeed  in  this, 
the  lower  country  falls  of  course."  No  notice,  however, 
was  ever  taken  of  his  admonition,  and  nothing  done  to 
effect  the  object  proposed.  His  entire  defence  and  safety 
rested  on  the  means  which  he  himself  could  reach.  An 
express  was  immediately  despatched  to  General  Win- 
chester, apprising  him  of  what  had  happened;  that  all 


170  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

communication  being  cut  off,  he  must  look  to  the  pro- 
curing supplies  for  his  army  through  the  posts  established 
in  the  Creek  country.  "The  enemy,"  he  continues,  "will 
attempt,  through  Pass  Huron,  to  reach  you:  watch,  nor 
suffer  yourself  to  be  surprised ;  haste,  and  throw  sufficient 
supplies  into  Fort  Bowyer;  and  guard  vigilantly  the  com- 
munication from  Fort  Jackson,  lest  it  be  destroyed.  Mo- 
bile point  must  be  supported  and  defended,  at  every  ha- 
zard. The  enemy  has  given  us  a  large  coast  to  guard; 
but  I  trust,  with  the  smiles  of  heaven,  to  be  able  to  meet 
and  defeat  him  at  every  point  he  may  venture  His  foot 
upon  the  land." 

Increased  vigilance  and  enlarged  exertions  were  now 
required  to  guard  the  different  routes  through  which  they 
might  seek  to  make  good  their  progress,  and  reach  the 
object  of  their  visit.  Major  Lacoste,  commanding  the 
battalion  of  coloured  troops,  was  ordered,  with  two  pieces 
of  cannon  and  a  sufficient  force,  to  take  post  on  and  de- 
fend the  Chef  Menteur  road,  that  led  from  the  head  of 
Lake  Borgne  to  New  Orleans.  In  fact,  wherever  an 
inlet  or  creek,  of  the  smallest  size,  putting  in,  justified 
the  belief,  that  through  it  an  entrance  might  be  effected, 
arrangements  were  made  to  obstruct  the  passage,  and 
prevent  approach.  Through  the  Rigolets  was  presumed 
the  most  probable  route  the  enemy  would  adventure,  that, 
by  gaining  Lake  Pontchartrain,  a  landing  might  be  made 
above  or  below  the  city,  or  at  bayou  St.  John,  directly  op- 
posite; and,  by  a  division  of  their  forces,  and  assaulting 
different  points,  make  such  a  diversion,  as,  with  raw 
troops,  could  not  be  resisted  under  any  circumstances  of 
advantage. 

This  place  had  been  confided  to  Captain  Newman,  of 
the  artillery.  It  was  an  important  point,  as  well  for  the 
purposes  already  named,  as  being  a  position  whence  any 
movement  on  the  lakes  could  be  discovered.  On  the  2?d, 
it  was  reinforced  by  several  heavy  pieces  of  cannon,  and 
an  additional  supply  of  men.  He  was  advised  by  the  Ge- 
neral of  the  consequence  attached  to  it,  and  that  it  was 
not  to  be  inconsiderately  yielded;  but  that,  in  the  event  of 
his  being  compelled  to  abandon  it,  every  thing  being  pro- 
perly secured,  he  was  to  make  good  his  retreat  to  Chef 
Menteur,  where  he  would  be  covered  by  an  additional 
force:  "But,"  added  he,  "you  are  not  to  retreat  until  your 


CHAPTER  VIII.  171 

judgment  is  well  convinced  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
to  the  very  salvation  of  your  command." 

On  the  1 6th  the  militia  were  reviewed  by  Jackson.  He 
had  perceived,  on  his  arrival  at  New  Orleans,  such  des- 
pondency manifested,  that  to  remove  it  had  called  forth 
all  his  exertions.  His  active  and  incessant  endeavours  to 
have  defended  every  accessible  point,  and  a  confidence, 
constantly  evinced,  that  his  resources  were  commensurate 
with  all  the  purposes  of  successful  resistance,  had  com- 
pletely undermined  those  fears,  at  first  so  generally  in- 
dulged. I^est,  from  the  loss  which  had  lately  happened 
on  the  lakes,  doubt  and  despondency  might  be  again  pro- 
duced, was  the  principal  cause  of  his  appearing  to-day,  on 
review;  to  convince  them,  by  his  deportment,  that  the 
safety  of  the  city  was  not  to  be  despaired  of.  He  directed 
an  address  to  be  read,  which  he  had  previously  prepared 
for  the  purpose.  It  was  drawn  in  language  breathing  the 
warmth  of  his  own  feelings,  and  calculated  to  communicate 
and  inspire  the  same  glow  to  olhers.  He  told  them  they 
were  contending  for  all  that  could  render  life  desirable; 
^For  your  property  and  lives; — for  that  which  is  dearer 
than  all,  your  wives  and  children; — for  liberty,  without 
which,  country,  life,  and  property  are  not  worth  possessing. 
Even  the  embraces  of  wives  and  children  are  a  reproach 
to  the  wretch  who  would  deprive  them,  by  his  cowardice, 
of  those  inestimable  blessings.  You  are  to  contend  with 
an  enemy  who  seeks  to  deprive  you  of  the  least  of  these — 
who  avows  a  war  of  vengeance  and  desolation,  carried  on 
and  marked  by  cruelties,  lusts,  and  horrors,  unknown  to 
civilized  nations. 

•^  "  Natives  of  the  United  States !  the  enemy  you  are  to 
contend  with  are  the  oppressors  of  your  infant  political 
existence — they  are  the  men  your  fathers  fought  and  con- 
quered, whom  you  are  now  to  oppose.  Descendants  of 
Frenchmen !  natives  of  France !  they  are  English,  the  he- 
reditary, the  eternal  enemies  of  your  ancient  country,  the 
invaders  of  that  you  have  adopted,  who  are  your  foes. 
Spaniards!  remember  the  conduct  of  your  allies  at  St. 
Sebastian,  and  recently  at  Pensacola,  and  rejoice  that  you 
have  an  opportunity  of  avenging  the  brutal  injuries  in- 
flicted by  men  who  dishonour  the  human  race.  Loui- 
sianians !  your  general  rejoices  to  witness  the  spirit  that 
animates  you,  not  only  for  your  honour,  but  your  safety; 
for  whatever  had  been  your  conduct  or  wishes,  his  duty 


172  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

would  have  led,  and  yet  will  lead  I  ir^io  confound  the  citi- 
zen,  unmmdful  of  his  rights,  with  ^le  enemy  he  ceases  to 
oppose.  Commanding  men  who  know  their  rights,  and 
are  determined  to  defend  them,  he  salutes  you  as  brethren 
in  arms;  and  has  now  a  new  motive  to  exert  all  his  facul- 
ties, which  shall  be  strained  to  the  utmost  in  your  defence. 
Continue  with  the  energy  you  have  begun,  and  he  promises 
you  not  only  safety,  but  victory  over  an  insolent  foe,  who 
has  insulted  you  by  an  affected  doubt  of  your  attachment 
to  the  constitution  of  your  country.  Your  enemy  is  near; 
his  sails  already  cover  the  lakes:  but  the  brave  are  united; 
and  if  he  find  us  contending  among  ourselves,  it  will  be 
for  the  prize  of  valour, — and  fame,  its  noblest  reward." 

Resistance  on  the  lakes  being  at  an  end,  no  doubt  was 
entertained  but  that  the  moment  for  action  would  be  as  early 
as  the  enemy  could  make  his  preparations  to  proceed.  At 
what  point,  at  what  time,  and  with  a  force  how  greatly 
superior  to  his  own,  were  matters  wholly  resting  in  uncer- 
tainty, and  could  not  be  known  until  they  should  actually 
transpire.  The  means  for  opposition,  therefore,  were  to 
be  seized  on  without  delay,  or  resistance  would  be  useless. 

That  the  hour  of  attack  was  not  far  distant,  was  con- 
firmed by  a  circumstance  which  reflects  no  considerable 
honour  on  the  officer  in  command  of  the  fleet.  The  day 
subsequent  to  the  contest  on  the  lakes,  Mr.  Shields,  pur- 
ser in  the  navy,  had  been  despatched  with  a  flag,  to  Cat 
island,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Murrell,  for  the  purpose  of 
relieving  our  wounded,  and  to  effect  a  negotiation,  by  which 
they  should  be  liberated  on  parole.  We  are  not  aware 
that  such  an  application  militated  against  the  usages  and 
customs  of  war;  if  not,  the  flag  of  truce  should  have  been 
respected;  nor  ought  its  bearer  to  have  been  detained  as  a 
prisoner.  Admiral  Cochrane's  pretended  fear  that  it  was 
a  wile,  designed  to  ascertain  his  strength  and  situation, 
are  far  from  presenting  any  sufficient  excuse  for  so  wanton 
an  outrage  on  propriety  and  the  rules  of  war.  If  this 
were  apprehended,  could  not  the  messengers  have  been 
met  at  a  distance  from  the  fleet,  and  ordered  back  with- 
out a  near  approach  ?  Had  this  been  done,  no  informa- 
tion could  have  been  gained,  and  the  object  designed  to  be 
secured  by  the  detention  would  have  been  answered,  with- 
out infringing  that  amicable  intercourse  between  contend- 
ing armies,  which,  when  violated  or  disregarded,  opens  a 


CHAPTER  viir.  173 

door  to  brutal  and  savage  warfare.     Finding  they  did  not 
return,  the  cause  of  it  was  at  once  correctly  divined. 

The  British  admiral  was  solicitous,  and  resorted  to 
various  means  to  obtain  from  these  gentlemen  information 
of  the  strength  and  disposition  of  our  army;  but  so  cau- 
tious a  reserve  was  maintained,  that  from  them  nothing 
could  be  elicited.  Shields  was  perceived  to  be  deaf,  and 
calculating  on  some  advantage  to  be  derived  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, he  and  the  Doctor  were  placed  at  night  in  the 
green  room,  where  any  conversation  which  occurred  could 
readily  be  heard.  Suspecting,  perhaps,  something  of  the 
kind,  after  having  retired,  and  every  thing  was  seemingly 
still,  they  began  to  speak  of  their  situation — the  circum- 
stance of  their  being  detained,  and  of  the  prudent  caution 
with  which  they  had  guarded  themselves  against  commu- 
nicating any  information  to  the  British  admiral.  But, 
continued  Shields,  how  greatly  these  gentlemen  will  be 
disappointed  in  their  expectations,  for  Jackson  with  his 
twenty  thousand  troops,  and  the  reinforcements  from 
Kentucky,  which  must  speedily  reach  him,  will  be  able  to 
destroy  any  force  that  can  be  landed  from  these  ships. 
Every  word  was  heard,  and  treasured,  and  not  supposing 
there  was  any  design,  or  that  he  presumed  himself  over-" 
heard,  they  were  beguiled  by  it,  and  at  once  concluded  our 
force  to  be  as  great  as  it  was  represented ;  and  hence  no 
doubt  arose  that  prudent  care  and  caution  with  which  the 
enemy  afterwards  proceeded;  for,  as  was  remarked  by  a 
British  officer,  the  actual  strength  of  General  Jackson's 
army,  though  repeatedly  sought  after,  could  never  be  pro- 
cured; it  was  a  desideratum  not  to  be  obtained. 

Early  on  the  15th,  expresses  were  sent  off  up  the  coast, 
in  quest  of  General  Coffee, — to  endeavour  to  procure  in- 
formation of  the  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  divisions,  which 
it  was  hoped  were  not  far  distant,  and  to  urge  their  speedy 
approach.  In  his  communication  to  Coffee,  the  general 
observes,  *'  You  must  not  sleep,  until  you  reach  me,  or 
arrive  within  striking  distance.  Your  accustomed  activi- 
ty is  looked  for.  Innumerable  defiles  present  themselves, 
where  your  services  and  riflemen  will  be  all  important 
An  opportunity  is  at  hand,  to  reap  for  yourself  and  brigade 
the  approbation  of  your  country." 

In  obedience  to  the  order  he  had  received  at  Mobile,  to 
occupy  some  central  position,  where  his  horses  could  be 
subsisted,    and   whence  he  might    act   as   circumstances 
p  2 


174  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

should  require,  Coffee  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Sandy 
creek,  a  small  distance  above  Baton  Rouge,  where  he  had 
halted.  His  brigade,  on  its  march,  had  been  greatly  ex- 
posed, and  many  and  various  hardships  encountered.  The 
cold  season  had  set  in;  and,  for  twenty  days  it  had  rained 
incessantly.  The  waters  were  raised  to  uncommon 
heights,  and  every  creek  and  bayou  was  to  be  bridged  or 
swam.  Added  to  this,  their  march  was  through  an  un- 
cultivated country,  but  thinly  settled,  where  little  subsist- 
ence was  to  be  had,  and  that  procured  with  much  diffi- 
culty. He  had  been  at  this  place  eight  or  ten  days,  when, 
late  on  the  evening  of  the  17th,  the  express  despatched 
from  head-quarters  reached  him.  He  lost  no  time  in  exe- 
cuting the  order;  and,  directing  one  of  his  regiments, 
which,  for  the  greater  convenience  of  foraging,  had  en- 
camped about  six  miles  off,  to  unite  with  him,  he  was 
ready  in  the  morning,  and  proceeded  on  his  march  the 
instant  it  arrived.  In  consequence  of  innumerable  expo- 
sures, there  were,  at  this  time,  three  hundred  on  the  sick 
list.  These  being  left,  he  commenced  his  advance  with 
twelve  hundred  and  fifty  men.  The  weather  yet  continued 
extremely  cold  and  rainy,  which  prevented  their  proceed- 
ing with  the  celerity  the  exigency  of  the  moment  so  much 
required.  Coffee,  perceiving  that  the  movement  of  his 
whole  force  in  a  body,  might  occasion  delays,  ruinous  to 
the  main  object  in  view,  ordered  all  who  were  well  mount- 
ed, and  able  to  proceed,  to  advance  with  him;  while  the 
rest  of  his  brigade,  under  suitable  officers,  were  left  to 
follow  as  fast  as  the  weak  and  exhausted  condition  of  their 
horses  would  permit.  His  force,  by  this  arrangement, 
was  reduced  to  eight  hundred  men,  with  whom  he  moved 
with  the  utmost  industry.  Having  marched  seventy  miles 
the  last  day,  he  encamped  on  the  night  of  the  19th,  within 
fifteen  miles  of  New  Orleans,  making  in  two  days  a  dis- 
tance of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles.  Continuing  his 
advance,  early  next  morning,  he  halted  within  four  miles 
of  the  city,  to  examine  the  state  and  condition  of  his  arms, 
and  to  learn,  in  the  event  the  enemy  had  landed,  the  rela- 
tive position  of  the  two  armies. 

These  brave  men,  without  murmuring,  had  now  tra- 
versed an  extent  of  country  nothing  short  of  eight  hundred 
miles,  and  under  trials  sufficiently  severe  to  have  appalled 
the  most  resolute  and  determined.  They  had  enrolled 
themselves,  not  as  volunteers  sometimes  do,  to  frolic,  and 


CHAPTER  VIII.  175 

by  peaceable  campaigns  to  gain  a  name  in  arms — they 
had  done  it,  knowing  that  an  enemy,  if  not  already  at  hand, 
was  certainly  expected,  with  whom  they  would  have  to 
contend,  and  severely.  Great  reliance  was  had  on  them 
by  the  commanding  general;  and  their  good  conduct,  in 
the  different  situations  in  which  they  had  acted  was  a 
proof  how  much  they  deserved  it  On  inspecting  their 
arms,  which  consisted  principally  of  rifles,  two  hundred 
were  discovered  to  be  so  materially  injured  by  the  wea- 
ther, as  to  be  unfit  for  service. 

The  advance  of  colonel  Hinds,  from  Woodville,  with 
the  Mississippi  dragoons,  was  no  less  prompt  and  expedi- 
tious; an  active  and  brave  officer,  he  was,  on  this,  as  on 
all  other  occasions,  at  his  post,  ready  to  act  as  circum- 
stances should  require.  Having  received  his  orders,  he 
hastened  forward,  and  effected  in  four  days,  a  march  of 
two  hundred  and  thirty  miles. 

On  the  16th,  colonel  Hynes,  reached  head-quarters, 
with  information  from  general  Carroll,  that  he  would  be 
present  as  early  as  possible;  but  that  the  state  of  the  wea- 
ther, and  contrary  winds,  greatly  retarded  his  progress. 
To  remedy  this,  a  steam  boat  was  put  in  requisition,  and 
ordered  to  proceed  up  the  river  to  aid  him  in  reaching 
his  destination,  without  loss  of  time.  He  was  advised  oi 
the  necessity  of  hastening  rapidly  forward;  that  the  lakes 
were  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  their  arrival  daily 
looked  for:  **  But,"  continued  Jackson,  "I  am  resolved, 
feeble  as  my  force  is,  to  assail  him,  on  his  first  landing, 
and  perish  sooner  than  he  shall  reach  the  city." 

Independent  of  the  large  force  which  was  descending 
with  general  Carroll,  his  approach  was  looked  to  with  ad- 
ditional pleasure,  from  the  circumstance  of  his  having 
with  him  a  boat  laden  with  arms,  destined  for  the  defence 
of  the  country,  and  which  he  had  overtaken  on  passing 
down  the  Mississippi.  His  falling  in  with  them  was  for- 
tunate; for,  had  their  arrival  depended  on  those  to  whom 
they  had  been  confided,  they  might  have  arriver*  too  late, 
and  after  all  danger  had  subsided;  as  was  indeed  the  case 
with  others,  forv/arded  from  Pittsburg,  which,  through 
the  unpardonable  conduct  of  those  who  had  been  entrusted 
with  their  transportation,  did  not  reach  New^  Orleans  until 
after  all  difficulties  had  terminated.  Much  inconvenience 
was  sustained,  during  the  siege,  for  want  of  arms  to  place 
in  the  hands  of  the  militia:  great  however  as  it  was,  it 


176  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

would  have  been  increased,  even  to  an  alarming  extent, 
but  for  the  accidental  circumstance  of  this  boat  having 
fallen  in  with  the  Tennessee  division,  which  impelled  it 
on,  and  thereby  produced  incalculable  advantage.* 

This  division,  had  left  Nashville  on  the  19th  of  Novem- 
ber. Their  exertions,  without  which  they  could  not  have 
arrived  in  time  to  afford  that  assistance  and  protection 
which  the  peril  of  the  moment  so  much  required,  entitle 
them  and  their  commander  to  every  gratitude.  But  above 
all  is  our  gratitude  due  to  that  benign  Providence,  who, 
having  aided  in  the  establishment  of  our  glorious  inde- 
pendence, again  manifested  his  goodness  and  power  in 
guarding  the  rights  of  a  country  rendered  sacred  by  the 
blood  of  the  virtuous,  heretofore  shed  in  its  defence.  It 
rarely,  if  ever  happens,  that  the  Cumberland  river  admits 
a  passage  for  boats  so  early  in  the  season;  but  torrents  of 


*  On  the  first  intimation  that  tlxe  British  intended  a  descent  on  this 
section  of  the  United  States,  General  Jackson  sug-gested  to  the  secre- 
tary of  war  the  scarcity  of  both  arms  and  ordnance,  and  the  necessity 
of  having  the  deficiency  remedied  as  soon  as  possible.  Mr.  Monroe, 
then  secretary  of  war,  had  given  the  earliest  attention  to  the  subject, 
and  ordered  an  ample  supply  to  be  embarked  from  Pittsburg,  suffi- 
ciently eaiiy  to  have  reached  head-quarters  pre>iously  to  the  enemy's 
landing.  Their  transportation  down  the  western  waters  liad  been 
confided  to  those  who  felt  not  sufficient  concern  for  tlieir  speedy  ar- 
rival to  use  the  necessary  diligence.  Whether  the  government  had 
g^ven  any  such  oi-ders,  or  that  it  were  a  piece  of  penny-wise  economy 
suggested  by  the  quarter-master,  we  do  not  know.  The  fact,  how- 
ever, is,  that  a  steam  vessel,  sailing  with  much  expedition,  proposed 
to  carry  and  deliver  them  at  New  Orleans  in  eighteen  days,  which 
would  have  been  in  time  for  all  the  purposes  afterwai'ds  needed.  Bat 
the  officer  who  had  the  management  of  this  business,  because  it  was 
in  his  power  to  save  an  inconsiderable  sum  in  freight,  prefeiTcd  deli- 
vering them  to  the  captain  of  a  large  flat  bottomed  boat,  v/hich  moved 
slowly,  and  which,  withal,  it  was  understood,  would  occasionally  stop 
on  the  way  to  traffic  and  trade  oft'  the  different  articles  with  which 
she  was  laden.  On  all  occasions,  we  would  commend  economy,  when 
founded  on  correct  principles  :  but  that  minister  or  agent  of  the 
government,  who,  to  save  a  partial  expense,  hazards  the  loss  of  thou- 
sands; or  who,  through  parsimonious  views  of  any  kind  whatever, 
risks  the  loss  of  a  whole  country,  evidences  so  weak  and  narrow- 
sighted  a  policy,  as  can  on  no  ground  be  justified.  The  general,  in 
a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  war,  after  tlie  battle  of  the  8th,  remarks, 
that  if  he  had  had  a  sufficiency  of  anns,  he  would  have  captured  or 
destroyed  the  whole  British  army;  and  tl/is  lie  might  have  had,  if  the 
agents  of  the  government  had  executed  the  duties  confided  to  them 
on  a  scale  enlarged  and  liberal  as  the  crisis  demanded. 


CHAPTER  VIII.  177 

rain  descending,  swelled  the  stream,  and  wafted  our  troops 
safely  to  tne  Mississippi,  where  all  obstructions  were  at 
an  end.  An  apprehension  entertained  lest  the  blow  might 
be  stricken,  and  the  injury  done,  before  they  could  reach 
their  destined  point,  had  inspired  our  troops  with  an  alac- 
rity and  exertion  which  brought  them  rapidly  to  the  place 
of  danger  and  usefulness. 

While  these  preparations  were  progressing,  to  concen- 
trate the  forces  within  his  reach,  the  General  was  turning 
his  attention  to  ward  off  any  blow  that  might  be  aimed, 
before  his  expected  reinforcements  should  arrive.  Every 
point,  capable  of  being  successfully  assailed,  was  receiving 
such  additional  strength  and  security  as  could  be  given. 
Patroles  and  videttes  were  ranged  through  the  country, 
that  the  earliest  intelligence  might  be  had  of  any  intended 
movement  The  militia  of  the  state  were  called  out  en 
niasse;  and,  through  the  interference  of  the  legislature,  an 
embargo  on  vessels  at  the  port  of  New  Orleans  was  de- 
clared, to  afford  an  opportunity  of  procuring  additional 
recruits  for  the  navy.  General  Villery,  because  an  inha- 
bitant of  the  country,  and  best  understanding  the  several 
points  on  the  lakes  susceptible  of  defence,  was  ordered, 
with  the  Louisiana  militia,  to  search  out,  and  give  protec- 
tion to  the  different  passes,  where  a  landing  might  be 
effected. 

To  hinder  the  enemy  from  obtaining  supplies  on  the 
shore,  a  detachment  was  sent  to  Pearl  River,  to  prevent 
any  parties  from  landing  until  the  stock  could  be  driven 
from  the  neighbourhood.  The  precaution,  for  some  time 
used,  of  restricting  the  departure  of  any  vessel  with  pro- 
visions, under  the  operation  of  the  embargo  imposed  by 
the  legislature,  had  greatly  disappointed  the  expectations 
of  the  British,  and  even  introduced  distress  into  Pensa- 
cola,  whence  the  Spaniards  had  been  in  the  habit  of  pro- 
curing their  supplies.  The  governor  had  solicited  the 
opening  a  communication,  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering 
inhabitants  of  his  province.  Although  he  had  given  no 
flattering  evidence,  either  of  friendship,  candour,  or  sin- 
cerity, yet  the  statement  offered  by  him  might  be  correct; 
and  if  so,  the  neutrality  of  his  country  established  a  well- 
founded  claim  to  the  benevolence  of  the  Americans.  Jack- 
son, aware  that  this  appeal  to  his  humanity  might  be  a 
stratagem  designed  to  aid  the  enemy,  and  balancing  be- 
tween a  desire  that  these  people  should  not  be  seriouslj 


178  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

injured,  and  a  fear  that  the  application  was  intended  for  a 
different  purpose  than  was  avowed,  he  determined  to  err 
on  the  side  of  mercy,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  relieve 
their  wants.  This  he  directed  General  Winchester,  at 
Mobile,  to  effect,  provided  his  stock  of  provisions  would 
permit  it.  It  was  particularly  enjoined  on  him  that  the 
quantity  of  provisions  sent  should  be  small,  and  to  be 
conveyed  by  water:  "  For,"  said  he,  "if  the  Spaniards  are 
really  in  distress,  and  the  supply  sent  shall  be  taken  by 
the  British,  it  will  excite  their  just  indignation  towards 
them,  and  erase  all  friendship,  while  they  will  be  afforded 
an  additional  proof  of  ours:  the  supply  too  being  incon- 
siderable, even  if  captured,  will  prove  of  no  great  benefit 
to  our  enemy." 

Jackson's  arrangements  were  well  conceived,  and  ra- 
pidly progressing;  but  they  were  still  insufficient;  and  his 
own  forebodings  assured  him,  that,  to  obtain  security, 
something  stronger  than  had  been  yet  resorted  to,  re- 
quired to  be  adopted.  That  there  was  an  enemy  in  the 
midst  of  his  camp,  more  to  be  feared  than  those  who  were 
menacing  from  abroad,  was  indeed  highly  probable;  while 
an  apprehension  indulged,  that  there  were  many  fo- 
reigners, who,  feeling  no  attachment  for  the  country,  and 
having  nothing  to  defend,  would  not  scruple  to  avail  them- 
selves of  every  opportunity  to  give  intelligence  of  the 
Strength,  situation,  a'nd  arrangement  of  his  camp,  excited 
his  fears,  and  induced  a  wish  to  apply  the  earliest  possible 
corrective.  A  stranger  himself,  his  own  conjectures  might 
not  have  led  to  the  conclusion;  but  information  received, 
before  and  soon  after  his  arrival,  through  different  chan- 
nels, and  particularly  from  the  governor  of  the  state,  had 
awakened  a  belief,  that  the  country  was  filled  with  disaf- 
fected persons,  who,  if  not  closely  guarded,  might  occa- 
sion the  worst  of  consequences.  Although  he  had  been  in 
possession  of  data^  sufficiently  strong  to  confirm  him  in 
the  opinion,  that  the  facts  and  circumstances  disclosed 
were  of  a  character  truly  as  had  been  represented,  until 
now,  no  urgent  necessity  had  arisen,  rendering  a  resort  to 
rigid  measures  essential  to  the  general  safety.  Abundant 
evidence  of  prevailing  disaffection  had  been  already  ob- 
tained, through  Governor  Claibonie.  In  a  letter  to  Gene- 
ral Jackson,  after  his  return  from  Pensacola,  he  observed, 
"Enemies  to  the  country  may  blame  your  prompt  and 
energetic  measures;  but  in  the  person  of  every  patriot. 


CHAPTER  VIII.  179 

you  will  find  a  supporter.  I  am  well  aware  of  the  lax  po- 
lice of  this  city,  and  indeed  of  the  whole  state,  with  re- 
spect to  strangers.  I  think,  with  you,  that  our  country  is 
filled  *with  traitors  and  spies.'  On  this  subject,  I  have 
written  pressingly  to  the  city  authorities  and  parish 
judges.  Some  regulations,  I  hope,  will  be  adopted  by 
the  first,  and  greater  vigilance  be  exercised,  in  future,  by 
the  latter.  '* 

Never,  perhaps,  all  the  circumstances  considered,  did 
any  general  advance  to  the  defence  and  protection  of  a 
people  situated  in  his  own  country,  where  greater  room 
was  had  to  distrust  the  success  of  the  event,  and  believe 
all  efforts  hopeless.  That  there  should  be  found,  at  all 
times,  and  in  all  places,  an  inconsiderable  few  who  would 
not  withhold  their  assent  to  a  change  in  the  form  of  any 
government,  under  which  they  might  live,  is  not  a  circum- 
stance to  excite  surprise.  Some  could  be  induced  to  it, 
if  for  no  other  reason,  to  alter  a  condition  in  life,  which  if 
not  improved,  might  not  be  rendered  worse:  and  in  our 
country  particularly,  where  foreigners  are  freely  and 
readily  admitted  to  all  our  rights  and  privileges,  many  of 
whom  have  been  allured,  not  by  attachment,  but  from 
motives  of  cupidity,  may  we  have  cause  to  regret  a  want 
of  union  and  energy  at  those  periods  when  they  shall  be 
mostly  needed.  That  disaffection,  however,  should  be 
found  in  our  national  councils,  is  a  source  of  increased 
regret,  and  causes  it  to  assume  a  character  of  deeper  dan- 
ger. When,  therefore.  General  Jackson  was  informed  by 
the  governor,  that  the  legislature,  instead  of  discharging 
with  alacrity,  diligence,  and  good  faith,  the  duties  which 
had  been  confided  to  them  by  their  constituents,  had, 
under  the  garb  of  privilege,  endeavoured  to  mar  the  exe- 
cution of  measures  the  most  salutary,  he  might  well  con- 
clude the  country  in  danger,  and  suspect  a  want  of  fidelity 
in  her  citizens.  Upon  the  yeomanry  alone  must  every 
country  depend  for  its  liberty:  they  are  its  sinews  and  its 
strength.  Let  them  continue  virtuous,  and  they  will 
cheerfully,  nay,  fearlessly,  maintain  themselves  against 
aggression;  but  if  they  become  corrupted,  or  through  the 
intrigue  or  misconduct  of  their  rulers  lose  confidence  in 
their  government,  forthwith  their  importance  and  value  is 
impaired.  While  the  people  of  Rome  felt  themselves 
freemen,  and  proud  of  the  name  of  citizens,  Rome  was  in- 
vincible:   and   to  descend    to   times   more   modern    the 


180  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

Strength  of  France  was  an  overmatch  for  combined  Eu- 
rope, only  while  Frenchmen  had  confidence  in,  and  regard 
for  their  government,  and  felt  that  they  were  a  constituent 
part  of  it 

Although  we  would  gladly  draw  a  veil  over  the  conduct 
of  the  legislature  of  Louisiana,  and  forgive  their  error,  yet 
it  is  difficult,  nor  is  it  necessary,  to  forget,  that  on  a  former 
occasion,  at  a  moment  of  threatened  and  expected  danger, 
they  exerted  themselves  against  the  establishment  of  any 
system  of  defence.  General  Flournoy  then  commanded. 
Apprehending  invasion,  he  applied  to  the  governor  for 
whatever  aid  the  state  could  aff'ord.  Constitutional  re- 
sources were  attempted,  and  efforts  made  to  draw  out  the 
militia;  they  resisted  the  requisition:  and  that  resistance 
so  far  from  being  discountenanced  by  the  legislature  then 
in  session,  was  promoted  and  encouraged,  by  their  as- 
suming to  themselves  the  right  of  declaring  the  demand 
to  be  illegal,  unnecessary,  and  oppressive.  When  popu- 
lar resentment  is  once  awakened,  and  opposition  to  mea- 
sures once  begun,  the  slightest  encouragement  impels  it 
forward;  but  when  the  authorities  of  a  state  become 
abettors,  and  by  their  conduct  and  expressions  give  it 
sanction,  the  delusion  is  increased,  and  forthwith  it  swells 
beyond  the  bounds  where  reason  can  control.  Thus  sup- 
ported, the  militia,  as  might  have  been  expected,  stood 
their  ground,  and  resolutely  resisted  the  call  to  defend 
their  country.  The  example  thus  established  had  already 
induced  the  conviction  that  they  were  privileged,  and  had 
reserved  to  them,  on  all  occasions,  when  called  for,  the 
right  of  determining  if  the  call  were  regular,  why  and 
wherefore  made,  where  they  would  prefer  to  act,  and  to 
be  governed  accordingly.  When,  therefore,  the  first  re- 
quisition made  by  Jackson  was  attempted  to  be  filled,  a 
number  made  a  tender  of  their  services  as  volunteers;  but 
upon  condition,  that  they  were  not  to  be  marthed  from 
the  state.  The  reply  made,  showed  they  were  to  act  with 
a  general  who  knew  nothing  of  temporizing  policy,  and 
who  would  go  the  entire  length  that  safety  and  necessity 
required,  and  his  powers  permitted.  They  were  assured 
his  object  was  to  defend  the  country,  and  that  he  should  do 
it  at  every  hazard;  that  soldiers  who  entered  the  ranks 
with  him  to  fight  the  battles  of  their  country,  must  forget 
the  habits  of  social  life,  and  be  willing  and  prepared  to  go 


CHAPTER  VIII.  181 

wherever  duty  and  danger  called ;  such  were  the  kind  of 
troops  he  wanted,  and  none  others  would  he  have. 

Influenced  by  these  and  other  considerations,  which 
were  daily  disclosed;  sensible  of  the  danger  that  sur- 
rounded him;  and  from  a  conviction  founded,  as  he 
thought,  not  upon  light  considerations,  that  the  country 
without  a  mo'st  decisive  course  could  not  be  saved,  he 
brought  to  the  view  of  the  legislature  the  propriety  and 
necessity  of  suspending  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus.  To  at- 
tempt himself  so  new  and  bold  a  course,  he  was  satisfied 
might  draw  to  him  the  reproofs  and  censures  of  the  or- 
thodox politicians  of  the  day,  and  involve  him  in  many 
and  various  reproaches.  The  legislature  had  already  in- 
terrupted the  commerce  by  declaring  and  enforcing  an 
embargo;  and  the  exercise  of  this  subsequent  authority, 
equally  necessary  with  the  first,  could  involve,  he  sup- 
posed, no  higher  exercise  of  power  than  the  enactment  of 
an  embargo  law.  He  was  solicitous,  therefore,  to  relieve 
himself  of  the  responsibility,  by  prevailing  on  the  legisla- 
tifi-e  to  do  that  which  necessity  and  the  security  of  the 
country  seemed  imperiously  to  require.  They  proceeded 
slowly  to  the  investigation,  and  were  deliberating,  with 
great  caution,  upon  their  right,  authority,  and  constitu- 
tional power  to  adopt  such  a  measure,  when  the  General, 
sensible  that  procrastination  was  dangerous,  and  might 
defeat  the  objects  intended  to  be  answered,  assumed  all 
responsibility,  and  superseded  their  deliberations  by  de- 
claring the  city  ?ta!  environs  of  New  Orleans  under  mar- 
tial law. 

All  persons  entering  the  city  were  required  imme- 
diately to  report  themselves  to.  the  adjutant- general;  and 
on  failing  to  do  so,  were  to  be  arrested  and  detained  for 
examination.  None  v/cre  to  depart  from  it,  or  be  suffered 
to  pass  beyond  the  chain  of  sentinels,  but  by  permission 
from  the  commanding  general,  or  one  of  the  staff":  nor 
vy'^s  any  vessel  or  craft  t-o  be  permitted  to  sail  on  the 
river,  or  the  lakes,  but  by  the  same  authority,  or  a  pass- 
port signed  by  the  commander  of  the  naval  forces. 

The  lamps  were  to  be  extinguished  at  nine  o'clock  at 
night;  after  v,'hich  time,  all  persons  found  in  the  streets, 
or  from  their  respective  homes,  without  permission  in 
writing,  signed  as  above,  were  to  be  arrested  as  spies,  and 
detained  for  examination. 

At  a  crisis  so  important,  and  from  a  persuasion  that  the 


182  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

country  in  its  menaced  situation,  could  not  be  preserved 
by  the  exercise  of  any  ordinary  powers,  he  believed  it 
best  to  adopt  a  course  that  should  be  efficient,  even  if  it 
partially  endangered  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  citi- 
zen. He  proclaimed  martial  law,  believing  necessity  and 
policy  required  it:  "Under  a  solemn  conviction  that  the 
country,  committed  to  his  care,  could  by  such  a  measure 
alone  be  saved  from  utter  ruin;  and  from  a  religious  be- 
lief, that  he  was  performing  the  most  important  and  sacred 
duty.  By  it,  he  intended  to  supersede  such  civil  powers, 
as,  in  their  operation,  interfered  with  those  he  was 
obliged  to  exercise.  He  thought  that,  at  such  a  moment, 
constitutional  forms  should  be  suspended,  for  the  preser- 
vation of  constitutional  rights;  and  that  there  could  be  no 
question,  whether  it  were  better  to  depart,  for  a  moment, 
from  the  enjoyment  of  our  dearest  privileges,  or  to  have 
them  wrested  for  ever." 

This  rigid  course  was  by  no  means  well  received. 
Whether  it  had  for  its  object  good  or  evil:  whether 
springing  from  necessity  or  a  spirit  of  oppression  in  its 
author,  with  many,  was  not  a  material  question:  it  was  suf- 
ficient that  they  considered  it  an  infraction  of  the  law,  to 
excite  their  w^armest  opposition;  whilst  the  long  approved 
doctrine  of  7iecessitas  rei  afforded  no  substantial  argument 
to  induce  a  conviction  of  its  propriety.  Whether  the 
civil  should  yield  to  military  law,  or  w^hich  should  have 
control,  with  those  whose  anxious  wishes  were  the  safety 
of  the  state,  was  not  a  matter  of  deep  or  serious  concern;, 
but  to  busy  politicians,  and  lukewarm  breasts,  it  opened  a 
field  for  investigation:  and  many  a  fire-side  patriot  had 
arguments  at  command,  to  prove  it  an  usurpation  of 
power,  an  outrage  upon  government,  and  a  violation  of 
the  constitution.  During  the  invasion,  and  while  affairs 
of  major  importance  impended,  no  occasion  was  presented 
of  testing  its  correctness;  but  soon  as  the  enemy  had  re- 
tired, and  before  it  was  ascertained,  whether,  at  some 
more  fortunate  and  less  guarded  point,  .they  might  not 
return  to  renew  those  efforts  which  had  so  lately  failed, 
Dominick  A.  Hall,  judge  of  the  United  States'  court  for 
the  district,  determined  to  wage  a  war  of  authority,  and  to 
have  decided,  if,  in  any  event,  the  civil  power  could  be 
deprived  of  supremacy.  Jackson  presumed  his  time  of 
too  great  importance,  at  so  momentous  a  period,  to  be 
wasted  in  the  discussion  of  such  matters.     He  gave  to  it. 


CHAPTER    VIII.  183 

therefore,  the  only  attention  which  he  believed  its  officious- 
ness  merited,  and  instead  of  obeying  the  command,  arrest- 
ed, and  ordered  the  judge  to  leave  the  city.  Peace  being 
presently  restored,  and  danger  over,  the  judge  renewed 
the  contest;  and  causing  the  general  to  appear  before  him, 
on  a  process  of  contempt,  for  detaining  and  refusing  to 
obey  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  amerced  him  in  a  fine  of  a 
thousand  dollars.  How  far  he  was  actuated  by  correct 
nxotives,  in  exclusion  to  those  feelings  which  sometimes 
estrange  the  judgment,  his  own  conscience  can  determine; 
and  how  far  his  proceedings  were  fair  and  liberal,  will 
appear  hereafter,  when,  in  proper  order,  we  shall  be 
brought  to  examine  this  prosecution.  For  the  present, 
we  are  confident,  that  if  ever  there  was  a  case  that  could 
justify  or  excuse  a  departure  from  the  law,  its  features 
were  not  stronger  than  those  which  influenced  General 
Jackson,  in  suspending  the  rights  of  the  citizens.  If  judge 
Hall  were  impelled  to  the  course  he  took,  in  defence  of  the 
violated  dignity  of  the  constitution,  and  to  protect  the 
rights  of  a  government,  whose  judicial  powers  he  repre- 
sented, whether  right  or  wrong,  he  deserves  not  censure; 
although  it  might  be  well  replied,  that  a  more  glorious 
opportunity  of  showing  his  devotedness  to  his  country 
had  just  passed,  when  he  might  truly  have  aided  in  de- 
fence of  her  honour,  nor  left  even  room  for  his  motives  to 
have  been  unfairly  appreciated. 

This  strong  and  efficient  measure  had  not  been  resorted 
to  from  the  mere  anticipation  of  danger;  already  sufficient 
causes  existed;  and  intrigue  and  stratagem  were  busily 
winding  their  way  into  our  camp:  they  were  either  to  be 
put  down,  or  every  hope  of  successful  resistance  aban- 
doned. England,  never  at  a  loss  for  varnished  statements, 
to  give  plausibility  to  her  views,  not  only  held  forth  the 
idea  that  she  .had  come  to  restore  the  inhabitants  to  higher 
privileges  than  they  enjoyed,  but,  to  render  the  delusion 
more  complete,  through  her  emissaries,  propagated  the 
belief,  that,  as  the  friend  of  Spain,  she  had  come  to  re- 
store West  Florida  to  its  rightful  owner,  and  the  citizens 
to  their  lawful  sovereign.  Composed,  as  our  army  at 
this  time  was,  of  heterogeneous  materials.  Frenchmen, 
Spaniards,  and  natives,  it  required  constant  effi)rts  to  keep 
alive  excitement,  and  ward  off  despondency.  Learning 
the  rumours  that  had  been  propagated,  and  fearing  lest 
they  might  have  an  injurious  tendency,   Jackson  imme- 


184  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

diately  circulated  an  address  to  his  troops,  in  which  he 
sought  to  counteract  the  effect,  and  preserve  their  ardour 
and  devotion  to  their  country. 

''  Believe  not,"  he  observed,  **  that  the  threatened  in- 
vasion is  with  a  view  to  restore  the  country  to  Spain.  It 
is  founded  in  design,  and  a  supposition  that  you  would  be 
willing  to  return  to  your  ancient  goveniment.  Listen  not 
to  such  incredible  tales:  your  government  is  at  peace 
with  Spain.  It  is  your  vital  enemy,  the  common  enemy 
of  mankind,  the  highway  robber  of  the  world,  that  has 
sent  his  hirelings  among  you,  to  put  you  from  your  guard, 
that  you  may  fall  an  easier  prey.  Then  look  to  your  li- 
berty, your  property,  the  chastity  of  your  wives  and  daugh- 
ters. Take  a  retrospect  of  the  conduct  of  the  British 
army  at  Hampton,  and  at  other  places  where  it  has  enter- 
ed our  country — and  every  bosom,  which  glows  with  pa- 
triotism and  virtue,  will  be  inspired  with  indignation,  and 
pant  for  the  arrival  of  the  hour  when  we  shall  meet  and 
revenge  those  outrages  against  the  laws  of  civilization  and 
humanity." 

With  the  exception  of  the  Kentucky  troops,  which 
were  yet  absent,  the  forces  expected  had  arrived.  Gene- 
ral Carroll  had  reached  Coffee's  encampment,  four  miles 
above  the  city,  on  the  21st,  and  immediately  reported  to 
the  commanding  general.  The  officers  were  busily  en- 
gaged in  drilling,  manoeuvring,  and  organizing  the  troops, 
and  in  having  every  thing  ready  for  action,  the  moment  it 
should  become  necessary.  No  doubt  was  entertained,  but 
the  British  would  be  able  to  effect  a  landing  at  some  point: 
the  principal  thing  to  be  guarded  against  was  not  to  pre- 
vent it;  for,  since  the  loss  of  the  gun-boats,  any  attempt 
of  that  kind  could  only  be  regarded  as  hopeless :  but,  by 
preserving  constant  vigilance,  and  thereby  having  the 
earliest  intelligence  of  an  approach,  they  might  be  met  at 
the  very  threshold,  and  opposed.  Small  guard  boats 
were  constantly  plying  on  the  lakes,  to  watch,  and  give 
information  of  every  movement.  Some  of  these  had 
come  in,  late  on  the  evening  of  the  22d,  and  reported  that 
all  was  quiet,  and  that  no  unfavourable  appearance  por- 
tended in  that  direction.  With  such  vigilance,  constant- 
ly exercised,  it  is  truly  astonishing  that  the  enemy  should 
have  effected  an  invasion,  and  succeeded  in  disembarking 
so  large  a  force,  without  the  slightest  intimation  being 
had,  until  they  were    accideiltally  discovered  emerging 


CHAPTER   VIII.  185 

from  the  swamp  and  woods,  about  seven  miles  below  the 
city:  why  it  so  happened,  treason  may  conjecture,  al- 
though the  truth  is  yet  unknown.  The  general  impres- 
sion is,  it  was  through  information  given  by  a  party  of 
Spanish  fishermen,  that  so  secret  a  disembarkation  was 
effected.  Several  of  them  had  settled  at  the  mouth  of 
this  bayou,  and  supported  themselves  by  fish  which  they 
caught,  and  vended  in  the  market  at  New  Orleans.  Ob- 
structions, as  we  have  already  stated,  were  ordered  to  be 
made  on  every  inlet,  and  the  Louisiana  militia  had  been 
despatched  for  that  purpose.  This  place  had  not  received 
the  attention  its  importance  merited :  nor  was  it  until  the 
22d,  that  General  Villery,  charged  with  the  execution  of 
this  order,  had  placed  here  a  small  detachment  of  men. 
Towards  day,  the  enemy,  silently  proceeding  up  the  bayou, 
landed,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  the  whole  of  this 
party,  except  two,  who  fleeing  to  the  swamp,  endeavour- 
ed to  reach  the  city;  but,  owing  to  the  thick  undergrowth 
of  the  forest,  which  rendered  it  almost  impervious,  they 
did  not  arrive  until  after  the  enemy  had  reached  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi. 

Bayou  Bienvenu,  through *which  the  British  effected  a 
landing,  is  an  arm  of  considerable  width,  stretching  to- 
wards the  Mississippi  from  lake  Borgne,  and  about  fifteen 
miles  south-east  of  New  Orleans.  It  had  been  reported 
to  General  Jackson  on  the  23d,  that,  the  day  before,  seve- 
ral strange  sail  had  been  descried  off  Terre  au  Boeuf.  To 
ascertain  correctly  the  truth  of  the  statement.  Majors  Ta- 
tum  and  Latour,  topographical  engineers,  had  been  sent 
off,  with  orders  to  proceed  in  that  direction,  and  learn  if 
any  thing  were  attempting  there.  It  was  towards  noon 
of  the  2od,  when  they  started.  Approaching  General 
Villery's  plantation,  and  perceiving  at  a  distance,  soldiers 
and  persons  fleeing  hastily  away,  they  at  once  supposed 
the  enemy  had  arrived.  What,  however,  was  but  sur- 
mise, was  presently,  and  on  nearer  observation,  rendered 
certain;  and  it  was  now  no  longer  a  doubt,  but  that  the 
British  had  landed,  in  considerable  force,  and  actually 
gained,  unobserved,  the  house  of  General  Villery,  on  the 
bank  of  the  Mississippi,  where  they  had  surprised  and 
made  prisoners,  a  company  of  militia  who  were  there 
posted. 

Major  Tatum,  hastening  back,    announced  the  disco- 
verv.     Preparations   to  act  were   immediately  made  by 
q2 


186  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

General  Jackson,  believing  that  to  act  speedily,  was  of  the 
highest  importance.  Signal  guns  were  fired,  and  ex- 
presses sent  forward,  to  concentrate  his  forces,  resolving 
that  night  to  meet  the  invaders  ancf  to  try  his  own  and 
their  firmness. 


^■"♦O^O**"** 


CHAPTER  IX. 

General  Jackson  concentrates  his  forces,  and  marches  to  fight  the 
enemy. — Alarms  of  the  city. — Anecdote. — Mode  of  attack,  and 
battle  of  the  23d  of  December. — British  reinforcements  arrive  du- 
ring the  action. — Arrival  of  General  Carroll's  division. — Our  army 
retires  from  the  field. — Effects  of  this  battle. — Jackson  establishes 
a  line  of  defence. — General  Morgan  is  ordered  on  the  right  bank 
of  the  Mississippi. — Destruction  and  loss  of  the  Caroline  schooner. — 
Battle  of  the  28th  December. — Conduct  of  the  legislature  of  Loui- 
siana ;  their  deliberations  suspended. — Scarcity  of  arms  in  the 
American  camp 

• 

The  hour  to  test  the  bravery  of  his  troops  had  arrived. 
The  approach  of  the  enemy,  flushed  with  the  hope  of  vic- 
tory, was  announced  to  Jackson  a  little  after  one  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  There  were  too  many  reasons,  assuring 
him  of  the  necessity  of  acting  speedily,  to  hesitate  a  mo- 
ment on  the  course  proper  to  be  pursued.  Could  he  as- 
sail them,  and  obtain  even  a  partial  advantage,  it  might 
be  beneficial — it  might  arrest  disaffection — buoy  up  the 
despondent — determine  the  wavering,  and  bring  within 
his  reach  resources  for  to-morrow,  which  might  wholly 
fail,  should  fear  once  take  possession  of  the  public  mind. 
It  was  a  moment,  too,  of  all  others,  most  propitious  to 
success.  He  v/ell  knew  the  greater  part  of  his  troops 
were  inured  to  marching  and  fatigue,  while  those  opposed 
to  him  had  just  been  landed  from  a  long  voyage,  and  were 
as  yet  without  activity,  and  unfitted  for  bodily  exertion. 
Moreover,  a  part  only  might  have  arrived  from  the  ship- 
ping, while  the  remainder  would  be  certainly  disembarked 
as  early  as  possible.  These  circumstances  seemed  to 
augment  the  chances  of  victory,  if  now  sought;  but 
which  if  deferred,  might,  in  a  little  time,  disappear.  He 
resolved,  at  all  events,  to  march,  and  that  night  give  them 


CHAPTER   IX.  187 

battle.  Generals  Coffee  and  Carroll  were  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  from  their  encampment,  and  join  him, 
with  all  haste.  Although  four  miles  above,  they  arrived 
in  the  city  in  less  than  two  hours  after  the  order  had  been 
issued.  These  forces,  with  the  seventh  and  forty-fourth 
regiments,  the  Louisiana  troops,  and  Colonel  Hinds'  dra- 
goons, from  Mississippi,  constituted  the  strength  of  his 
army,  which  could  be  carried  into  action  against  an  enemy 
whose  numbers,  at  this  time,  could  only  be  conjectured. 
It  was  thought  advisable  that  General  Carroll  and  his  di- 
vision should  be  disposed  in  the  rear,  for  the  reason  that 
there  was  no  correct  information  of  the  force  landed 
through  Villery's  canal,  and  because  Jackson  feared  that 
this  probably  might  be  merely  a  feint  intended  to  divert 
his  attention,  while  a  stronger  and  more  numerous  divi- 
sion, gaining  some  point  higher  on  the  lake,  might,  by 
advancing  in  his  absence,  gain  his  rear,  and  succeed  in 
their  designs.  Uncertain  of  their  movements,  it  was  es- 
sential he  should  be  prepared  for  the  worst,  and,  by  diffe- 
rent dispositions  of  his  troops,  be  ready  to  resist,  in  what- 
ever quarter  he  might  be  assailed.  Carroll,  therefore,  at 
the  head  of  his  division,  and  Governor  Claiborne,  with  the 
state  militia,  were  directed  to  take  post  on  the  Gentilly 
road,  which  lead  from  Chef  Menteur  to  New  Orleans,  and 
to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity. 

Alarm  pervaded  the  city.  The  marching  and  counter- 
marching of  the  troops — the  proximity  of  the  enemy — 
with  the  approaching  contest,  and  uncertainty  of  its  issue, 
had  excited  a  general  fear.  Already  might  the  British  be 
on  their  way,  and  at  hand,  before  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments could  be  made  to  oppose  them.  To  prevent  this, 
Colonel  Hayne,  with  two  companies  of  riflemen,  and  the 
Mississippi  dragoons,  was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre 
their  camp,  learn  their  position  and  numbers;  and,  in  the 
event  they  should  be  found  advancing,  to  harass  and  op- 
pose them  at  every  step,  until  the  main  body  of  the  army 
should  arrive. 

Every  thing  being  ready,  General  Jackson  commenced 
his-  march,  to  meet  and  fight  the  veteran  troops  of  En- 
gland. An  inconsiderable  circvimstance,  at  this  moment, 
evinced  what  unlimited  confidence  was  reposed  in  his  skill 
and  bravery.  As  his  troops  were  marching  to  battle 
through  the  city,  his  ears  were  assailed  with  screams  and 
cries  of  innumerable  females,  who  had  collected  on  the 


188  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

way,  and  seemed  to  apprehend  the  worst  of  consequences. 
Feeling  for  their  distresses,  and  anxious  to  quiet  them, 
he  directed  Mr.  Livingston,  one  of  his  aids-de-camp,  to  ad- 
dress them  in  the  French  language.  "  Say  to  them,"  said 
he,  "not  to  be  alarmed:  the  enemy  shall  never  reach  the 
city."  It  operated  like  an  electric  shock.  To  know  that 
he  himself  was  not  apprehensive  of  any  fatal  result,  in- 
spired them  with  altered  feelings;  sorrow  forthwith  was 
ended,  and  grief  converted  into  hope  and  confidence. 

The  General  arrived  in  view  of  the  enemy  a  little  before 
dark.  Having  previously  ascertained  from  Colonel  Hayne, 
who  had  been  sent  in  advance,  their  position,  and  that 
their  strength  was  about  two  thousand  men,*  he  imme- 
diately concerted  the  mode  of  attack,  and  hastened  to 
execute  it.  Commodore  Patterson,  who  commanded  the 
naval  forces  on  this  station,  with  Captain  Henly,  on  board 
the  Caroline,  had  been  directed  to  anchor  in  front  of  their 
line,  and  open  upon  them  from  the  guns  of  the  schooner; 
this  being  the  appointed  signal,  when  given,  the  attack 
was  to  be  waged  simultaneously  on  all  sides.  The  fires 
from  the  camp  disclosed  their  position,  and  showed  their 
encampment,  formed  with  the  left  resting  on  the  river, 
and  extending  at  right  angles  into  the  open  field.  General 
Coffee,  with  his  brigade.  Colonel  Hinds'  dragoons,  and 
Captain  Beal's  company  of  riflemen,  was  ordered  to 
oblique  to  the  left,  and,  by  a  circuitous  route,  avoid 
the  pickets,  and  endeavour  to  turn  their  right  wing; 
having  succeeded  in  this,  he  was  directed  to  form  his  line, 
and  press  the  enemy  towards  the  river,  where  they  would 
be  exposed  more  completely  to  the  fire  of  the  Caroline. 
The  rest  of  the  troops,  consisting  of  the  regulars,  Plau- 
che's  city  volunteers,  Daquin's  coloured  troops,  the  ar- 
tillery under  Lieutenant  Spotts,  supported  by  a  company 
of  marines  commianded  by  Colonel  M'Kee,  advanced  on 
the  road  along  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  were  com- 
manded by  Jackson  in  person. 

General  Coffee  with  silence  and  caution  had  advanced 
beyond  their  pickets,  next  the  swamp,  and  nearly  reached 
the  point  to  which  he  was  ordered,  when  a  broadside  from 


•  This  opinion,  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  was  incoiTect.  The 
number  of  the  enemy,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  was  three 
thousand,  and  was  shortly  afterwai'ds  increased  by  additional  forces. 
our  strength  did  not  exceed  two  thousand. 


CHAPTER  IX.  1 8^ 

the  Caroline  announced  the  battle  begun.  Patterson  had 
proceeded  slowly,  giving  time,  as  he  believed  for  the  exe- 
cution of  those  arrangements  contemplated  on  the  shore. 
So  sanguine  had  the  British  been  .in  the  belief  that  they 
would  be  kindly  received,  and  little  opposition  attempted, 
that  the  Caroline  floated  by  the  sentinels,  and  anchored 
before  their  camp,  without  any  kind  of  molestation.  On 
passing  the  front  picket,  she  was  hailed  in  a  low  tone  of 
voice,  but  not  returning  an  answer,  no  further  question 
was  made.  This,  added  to  some  other  attendant  circum- 
stances, confirmed  the  opinion  that  they  believed  her  a 
vessel  laden  with  provisions,  which  had  been  sent  out  from 
New  Orleans,  and  was  intended  for  them.  Having  reached 
what,  from  their  fires,  appeared  to  be  the  centre  of  their 
encampment,  her  anchors  were  cast,  and  her  character 
and  business  disclosed  from  her  guns.  So  unexpected  an 
attack  produced  a  momentary  confusion;  but,  recovering, 
she  was  answered  by  a  discharge  of  musketry,  and  flight 
of  congreve  rockets,  which  passed  without  injury,  while 
the  grape  and  canister  from  her  guns,  were  pouring  de- 
structively on  them.  To  take  away  the  certainty  of  aim 
afforded  by  the  light  from  the  fires,  these  were  immediately 
extinguished,  and  they  retired  two  or  three  hundred  yards 
into  the  open  field,  if  not  out  of  reach  of  the  cannon,  at 
least  to  a  distance,  where,  by  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
they  would  be  protected. 

Coffee  had  dismounted  his  men,  and  turned  his  horses 
loose,  at  a  large  ditch,  next  the  swamp,  in  the  rear  of  La- 
rond's  plantation,  and  gained,  as  he  believed,  the  centre 
of  the  enemy's  line,  when  the  signal  from  the  Carolinie 
reached  him.  He  directly  wheeled  the  columns  in,  and 
extending  his  line  parallel  with  the  river,  moved  towards 
their  camp.  He  had  advanced  scarcely  more  than  a  hun- 
dred yards,  when  he  received  a  heavy  fire,  from  a  line 
formed  in  his  front;  this  was  an  unexpected  circumstance, 
as  he  supposed  the  enemy  posted  principally  at  a  distance, 
and  that  the  only  opposition  he  should  meet,  until  he  ap- 
proached the  levee,*  would  be  from  their  advanced  pickets, 

•  Banks  on  the  margin  of  the  river  to  confine  the  stream  to  its  bed; 
and  which  are  extended  along  the  Mississippi  on  both  sides,  fi-om  the 
termination  of  the  highlands,  near  Baton  Rouge.  Frequently  the 
river,  in  its  vernal  floods,  rises  above  the  elevation  of  the  plains,  and 
then  the  security  of  the  country  is  dependent  on  the  streng^  of  thc^e 


190  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

The  circumstance  of  his  coming  in  contact  \jtith  them  so 
soon,  was  owing  to  the  severe  attack  of  the  schooner, 
which  had  compelled  the  enemy  to  abandon  their  camp, 
and  form  without  the  reach  of  her  guns.  The  moon  shone, 
but  reflected  her  light' too  feebly  to  discover. objects  at  a 
distance.  The  only  mean,  therefore,  of  producing  certain 
effect,  with  the  kind  of  force  engaged,  which  consisted 
chiefly  of  riflemen,  was  not  to  venture  at  random,  but  to 
discharge  their  pieces  only  when  there  should  be  a  cer- 
tainty of  felling  the  object.  This  order  being  given,  the 
line  pressed  on,  and  having  gained  a  position  near  enough 
to  distinguish,  a  general  fire  was  given;  it  was  well  di- 
rected, and  too  severe  and  destructive  to  be  withstood ; 
the  enemy  gave  way,  and  retreated, — rallied, — formed,-— 
were  charged,  and  again  retreated.  Our  gallant  yeomanry, 
led  by  their  brave  commander,  urged  fearlessly  on,  and 
drove  their  invaders  from  every  position  they  attempted 
to  maintain.  Their  general  was  under  no  necessity  to 
encourage  and  allure  them  to  deeds  of  valour:  his  own 
example  was  sufficient  to  excite  them.  Always  in  the 
midst,  he  displayed  a  coolness  and  disregard  of  danger, 
calling  to  his  troops,  that  they  had  often  said  they  could 
fight — now  was  the  time  to  prove  it. 

The  enemy,  driven  by  the  resolute  firmness  and  ardour 
of  the  assailants,  had  reached  a  grove  of  orange  trees, 
with  a  ditch  running  past  it,  protected  by  a  fence  on  the 
margin.  Here  they  were  formed  for  battle.  It  was  a  fa- 
vourable position,  promising  security,  and  was  occupied 
with  a  confidence  they  could  not  be  forced  to  yield  it. 
Coffee's  dauntless  yeomanry,  strengthened  in  their  hopes 
of  success,  moved  on,  nor  discovered  the  advantages 
against  them,  until  a  fire  from  the  British  line  discovered 
their  position  and  defence.  A  sudden  check  was  given; 
but  it  was  only  momentary,  for  gathering  fresh  ardour, 
they  charged  across  the  ditch,  gave  a  deadly  and  de- 
structive fire,  and  forced  them  to  retire.  The  retreat  con- 
tinued, until  gaining  a  similar  position,  the  enemy  made 
another  stand,  and  were  again  driven  from  it  with  con- 
siderable loss. 

The  battle  raged  on  the  left  wing,  until  the  British 
reached  the  bank  of  the  river, ;  where  a  determined  stand 

levees ;  they  not  unfrequently  break,  when  incalculable  injury  is  the 
consequence. 


CHAPTER  IX.  191 

was  made,  and  further  encroachments  resisted :  for  half  an 
hour  the  conflict  was  extremely  violent  on  both  sides. 
The  American  troops  could  not  be  driven  from  their  pur- 
pose, nor  the  British  made  to  yield  their  ground;  at 
length,  having  suffered  greatly,  the  latter  were  under  the 
necessity  of  taking  refuge  behind  the  levee,  which  afforded 
a  breast-work,  and  gave  protection  from  the  fatal  fire  of 
our  riflemen.  Coffee,  unacquainted  with  their  position, 
for  the  darkness  had  greatly  increased,  already  contem- 
plated again  to  charge  them;  but  one  of  his  officers,  who 
had  discovered  the  advantage  their  situation  afforded,  as- 
sured him  it  was  too  hazardous;  that  they  could  be  driven 
no  further,  and  must,  from  the  point  they  occupied,  resist 
with  the  bayonet,  and  would  repel,  with  considerable  loss, 
any  attempt  that  might  be  made  to  dislodge  them.  The 
place  of  their  retirement  was  covered  in  front  by  an  em- 
bankment, which  had  been  extended  into  the  field,  to  ex- 
clude theriver,  in  consequence  of  the  first  being  encroached 
upon,  and  undermined  in  several  places ;  the  former,  how- 
ever, was  entire,  in  many  parts,  which,  interposing  be- 
tween them  and  the  Mississippi,  afforded  security  from 
the  broadsides  of  the  schooner,  which  lay  off  at  some  dis- 
tance. An  apprehension,  lest,  by  moving  nearer  the 
river,  he  might  greatly  expose  himself  to  the  fire  of  the 
Caroline,  which  was  yet  spiritedly  maintaining  the  con- 
flict, induced  Coffee  to  retire  until  he  could  hear  from  the 
commanding  general,  and  receive  his  further  orders. 

During  this  time,  the  right  wing,  under  Jackson,  had 
been  no  less  prompt  and  active.  A  detachment  of  artil- 
lery, under  Lieutenant  Spotts,  supported  by  sixty  marines, 
and  constituting  the  advance,  had  moved  upon  the  road, 
next  the  levee.  On  the  left  was  the  seventh  regiment  of 
infantry,  led  by  Major  Piere.  The  forty-fourth,  com- 
manded by  Major  Baker,  was  formed  on  the  extreme  left; 
while  Plauche's  and  Daquin's  battalions  of  city  guards, 
were  directed  to  be  posted  in  the  centre,  between  the 
seventh  and  forty-fourth.  The  General  had  ordered 
Colonel  Ross,  who,  during  the  night,  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  brigadier-general,  for  he  was  without  a  brigadier,  on 
hearing  the  signal  from  the  Caroline,  to  br^^^  off  by  heads 
of  companies,  and,  on  reaching  the  enemy's  line,  to  de- 
ploy, and  unite  the  left  wing  of  his  command  with  the 
right  of  General  Coffee's.  This  order  was  omitted  to  be 
executed ;  and  the  consequence  was  an  early  introduction 


192  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

of  confusion  in  the  ranks,  whereby  was  prevented  the  im- 
portant design  of  uniting  the  two  divisions. 

Instead  of  moving  in  column  from  the  first  position,  the 
troops,  with  the  exception  of  the  seventh  regiment,  next 
the  person  of  the  General,  which  advanced  agreeably  to 
the  instructions  given,  were  formed  and  marched  in  ex- 
tended line.  Having  sufficient  ground  to  form  on  at  first, 
no  inconvenience  was  at  the  moment  sustained;  but  this 
advantage  presently  failing,  the  centre  became  compress- 
ed, and  was  forced  without  the  line  in  the  rear.  The 
river,  from  where  they  were  formed,  gradually  inclined 
to  the  left,  and  diminished  the  space  originally  possessed: 
farther  in  stood  Larond's  house,  surrounded  by  a  grove 
of  clustered  orange  trees:  this  pressing  the  left,  and  the 
river  the  right  wing  to  the  centre,  formed  a  curve,  which 
presently  threw  the  principal  part  of  Plauche's  and  Da- 
quin's  battalions  without  the  line.  This  inconvenience 
might  have  been  remedied,  but  for  the  briskness  of  the 
advance,  and  the  darkness  of  the  night.  A  heavy  fire 
from  behind  a  fence,  immediately  before  them,  had  brought 
the  enemy  to  view.  Acting  in  obedience  to  orders,  not 
to  waste  their  ammunition  at  random,  our  troops  pressed 
forward  against  the  opposition  in  front,  and  thereby  threw 
those  battalions  in  the  rear: 

A  fog  rising  fr6m  the  river,  and  which,  added  to  the 
smoke  from  the  guns,  was  covering  the  plain,  gradually 
diminished  the  little  light  shed  by  the  moon,  and  greatly 
increased  the  darkness  of  the  night :  no  clue  was  left  to 
ascertain  how  or  where  the  enemy  were  situated.  There 
W9S  no  alternative  but  to  move  in  the  direction  of  their 
fire,  which  subjected  the  assailants  to  material  disadvan- 
tages. The  British,  driven  from  their  first  position,  had 
retired,  and  occupied  another,  behind  a  deep  ditch,  that 
ran  c>ut  of  the  Mississippi  towards  the  swamp,  on  the 
margin  of  which  was  a  wood  railed  fence.  Here,  strength- 
ened by  increased  numbers,  they  again  opposed  the  ad- 
vance of  our  troops.  Having  waited  until  they  had  ap- 
proached sufficiently  near  to  be  discovered,  from  their 
lastnesses  they  discharged  a  fire  upon  the  advancing  army. 
Instantly  our  battery  was  formed,  and  poured  destructive- 
ly upon  them;  '\fhile  the  infantry,  pressing  forward,  aided 
in  the  conflict,  which  at  this  point  was  for  some  time  spi- 
ritedly maintained.  At  this  moment,  a  brisk  sally  was 
made  upon  our  advance,  when  the  marines,  unequal  to 


CHAPTER    IX.  193 

the  assault,  were  already  giving  way.  The  adjutant-ge- 
neral, and  Colonels  Piatt  and  Chotard,  with  a  part  of  the 
seventh,  hastening  to  their  support,  drove  the  enemy,  and 
saved  the  artillery  from  capture.  General  Jackson,  per- 
ceiving the  decided  advantages  which  were  derived  from 
the  position  they  occupied,  ordered  their  line  to  be  charged. 
It  was  executed  with  promptness.  Pressing  on,  our  troops 
gained  the  ditch,  and,  pouring  across  it  a  well  aimed  fire, 
compelled  them  to  retreat,  and  to  abandon  their  entrench- 
ment. The  plain,  on  which  they  were  contending,  was 
cut  to  pieces  by  races  from  the  river,  to  convey  the  water 
to  the  swamp.  The  enemy  were,  therefore,  very  soon 
enabled  to  occupy  another  position,  equally  favourable 
with  the  one  whence  they  had  been  just  driven,  where 
they  formed  for  battle,  and,  for  some  time,  gallantly  main- 
tained themselves;  but  which,  at  length,  and  after  stub- 
born resistance,  they  were  forced  to  yield. 

The  enemy,  discovering  the  firm  and  obstinate  advance 
inade  by  the  right  wing  of  the  American  army,  and  pre- 
suming perhaps  that  its  principal  strength  was  posted  on 
the  road,  formed  the  intention  of  attacking  violently  the 
left.  Obliquing,  for  this  purpose,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  turn  it.  At  this  moment,  Daquin's  and  the  battalion 
of  city  guards,  being  marched  up,  and  formed  on  the  left 
of  the  forty-fourth  regiment,  met  and  repulsed  them. 

The  particular  moment  of  the  contest  prevented  many 
of  those  benefits  which  might  have  been  derived  from  the 
artillery.  The  darkness  of  the  night  was  such,  that  the 
blaze  of  the  enemy's  musketry  was  the  only  light  afforded 
by  which  to  determine  their  position,  or  be  capable  of 
taking  our  own  to  advantage;  yet,  notwithstanding,  it 
greatly  annoyed  them,  whenever  it  could  be  brought  to 
bear.  Directed  by  Lieutenant  Spotts,  a  vi-gilant  and  skil- 
ful officer,  with  men  to  aid  him  who  looked  to  nothing 
but  a  zealous  discharge  of  their  duty,  the  most  essential 
and  important  services  were  rendered. 

The  enemy  hB.A  been  thrice  assailed  and  for  nearly  a 
mile  compelled  to  yield  their  ground.  They  had  now  re- 
tired, and,  if  found,  were  to  be  sought  for  amidst  the 
darkness  of  the  night.  The  General  determined  to  halt, 
and  ascertain  Coffee's  position  and  success,  previously  to 
waging  the  battle  further;  for  as  yet  no  communication 
had  passed  between  them.  He  entertained  no  doubt, 
from  the  brisk  fi.ring  in  that  direction,  that  he  had  been 

R 


194  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

warmly  engaged;  but  this  had  now  nearly  subsided;  the 
Caroline,  too,  had  almost  ceased  her  operations;  it  being 
only  occasionally,  that  the  noise  of  her  guns  disclosed  the 
little  opportunity  she  possessed  of  acting  efficiently. 

The  express  despatched  to  General  Jackson,  from  the 
left  wing,  having  reached  him,  he  determined  to  prose- 
cute the  successes  he  had  gained,  no  further.  The  dark- 
ness of  the  night — the  confusion  into  which  his  own  divi- 
sion had  been  thrown,  and  a  similar  disaster  communicat- 
ed on  the  part  of  Coffee,  all  pointed  to  the  necessity  of 
retiring  from  the  field,  and  abandoning  the  contest.  The 
bravery  and  firmness  already  displayed  by  his  troops,  had 
induced  with  him  a  belief  that  by  pressing  forward  he 
might  capture  the  whole  British  army:  at  any  rate,  he 
considered  it  but  a  game  of  venture  and  hazard,  which,  if 
unsuccessful,  could  not  occasion  his  own  defeat.  If  in- 
competent to  its  execution,  and  superior  numl^rs,  or  su- 
perior discipline,  should  compel  him  to  recede  from  the 
effort,  he  well  knew  the  enemy  would  not  have  temerity 
eiiough  to  attempt  pursuit  The  extreme  darkness — their 
entire  ignorance  of  the  situation  of  the  country,  and  an 
apprehension  lest  their  forces  might  be  greatly  outnum- 
bered, afforded  sufficient  reasons  on  which  to  ground  a 
belief,  that  although  beaten  from  his  purpose,  he  would 
yet  have  it  in  his 'power  to  retire  in  safety:  but  on  the 
arrival  of  the  express  from  General  Coffee,  learning  thence 
the  strong  position  to  which  the  enemy  had  retired,  and 
that  a  part  of  the  left  wing  had  been  detached,  and  were 
m  all  probability  captured,  he  determined  to  retire  from 
the  ,contest,  nor  attempt  a  further  prosecution  of  his  suc- 
cesses. General  Coffee  Vvas  accordingly  directed  to  with- 
draw, and  take  a  position,  where  the  line  had  been  first 
formed:  and  thither  the  troops  on  the  right  were  also 
ordered  to  be  marched. 

Colonel  Dyer,  who  commanded  the  extreme  left  of  Cof- 
fee's brigade,  on  clearing  the  grove,  after  the  enemy  had 
retired,  vras  marching  in  a  direction  where  he  expected 
to  find  the  General;  he  very  soon  discovered  a  force  in 
front,  and  halting  his  men,  hastened  towards  it;  arriving 
within  a  short  distance,  he  was  hailed,  ordered  to  stop, 
and  report  to  whom  he  belonged:  Dyer,  and  Gibson,  his 
lieutenant-colonel,  advanced,  and  stated  they  were  of  Cof- 
. fee's  brigade;  by  this  time  they  had  arrived  within  a  shor: 
distance  of  the  line,  and  perceiving  that  the  name  of  the 


CHAPTER    IX.  195 

brigade  they  had  stated  was  not  understood,  their  appre- 
hensions were  awakened,  lest  it  might  be  a  detachment  of 
the  enemy;  in  this  opinion  they  were  immediately  con- 
firmed, and  wheeling  to  return,  were  fired  on  and  pur- 
sued. Gibson  had  scarcely  started  when  he  fell;  before 
he  could  recover,  a  soldier,  quicker  than  the  rest,  had 
reached  and  pinned  him  to  the  ground  with  his  bayonet; 
fortunately  the  stab  had  but  slightly  wounded  him,  and  he 
was  only  held  by  his  clothes:  thus  pinioned,  and  perceiv- 
ing others  to  be  briskly  advancing,  but  a  moment  was 
left  for  deliberation; — making  a  violent  exertion,  and 
springing  to  his  feet,  he  tlirew  his  assailant  to  the  ground, 
and  made  good  his  retreat.  Colonel  Dyer  had  retreated 
about  fifty  yards,  when  his  horse  dropped  dead;  entan- 
gled in  the  fall,  and  being  slightly  wounded  in  the  thigh, 
there  was  little  prospect  of  relief,  for  the  enemy  were 
briskly  advancing:  his  men  being  near  at  hand,  he  order- 
ed them  to  advance  and  fire,  which  checked  the  approach, 
and  enabled  him  to  escape.  Being  now  at  the  head  of 
his  command,— -perceiving  an  enemy  in  a  direction  he  had 
not  expected,  and  uncertain  how  or  where  he  might  find 
General  Coffee,  he  determined  to  seek  him  to  the  right, 
and  moving  on  with  his  little  band,  forced  his  way  through 
the  enemy's  lines,  with  the  loss  of  sixty-three  of  his  men, 
who  were  killed  and  taken.  Captain  Beal  of  the  rifle 
corps,  with  equal  bravery,  charged  through  the  enemy, 
carrying  off  some  prisoners,  and  losing  several  of  his  own 
company. 

This  reinforcement  of  the  British  had  arrived  from 
Bayou  Bienvenu,  after  night.  The  boats  that  landed  the 
first  detachment,  had  proceeded  back  to  the  shipping,  and 
having  returned,  were  on  their  way  up  the  bayou,  when 
they  heard  the  guns  of  the  combatants ;  moving  hastily  on 
to  the  assistance  of  those  who  had  debarked  before  them, 
they  reached  the  shore,  and  knowing  nothing  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  tv/o  armies,  during  the  engagement  advanced 
in  the  rear  of  General  Coffee.  Coming  in  contact  with 
Colonel  Dyer  and  Captain  Beal,  they  filed  off  to  the  left, 
and  reached  the  British  lines.  Dyer  and  Beal  retreating 
back  to  where  the  brigade  had  first  dismounted,  united 
with  General  Coffee  again. 

Jackson  had  gone  into  this  battle  confident  of  success; 
and  his  arrangements  were  such  as  would  have  ensured 
it,  even  to  a  much  greater  extent,  but  for  the  intervention 


196  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

of  circumstances  that  could  not  be  foreseen.  The  Caroline 
had  given  her  signals,  and  commenced  the  battle,  a  little 
too  early,  before  Coffee  had  reached  and  taken  his  position, 
and  before  every  thing  was  fully  in  readiness,  to  attain  the 
objects  designed :  but  it  was  chiefly  owing  to  the  confusion 
introduced  at  first  into  the  ranks,  which  checked  the  ra- 
pidity of  his  advance — gave  the  enemy  time  for  prepara- 
tion, and  prevented  his  division  from  uniting  with  the 
right  wing  of  General  Coffee's  brigade. 

Colonel  Hinds,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty  dragoons, 
was  not  brought  into  action  during  the  night.  Interspersed 
as  the  plain  was,  with  innumerable  ditches,  diverging  in 
diff*erent  directions,  it  was  impossible  that  cavalry  could 
act  to  any  kind  of  advantage:  they  were  now  formed  in 
advance,  to  watch,  until  morning,  the  movements  of  the 
enemy. 

From  the  experiment  just  made  General  Jackson  be- 
lieved it  would  be  in  his  power,  on  a  renewed  attack,  to 
capture  the  British  army:  he  concluded,  therefore,  to 
order  down  to  his  assistance  General  Carroll  with  his  di- 
vision, and  to  assail  them  again  at  the  da"\vn  of  day.  Di- 
recting Governor  Claiborne  to  remain  at  his  position,  for 
defence  of  an  important  pass  to  the  city,  the  Gentilly  road, 
he  despatched  an  express  to  Carroll,  stating  to  him,  that, 
in  the  event  there  had  been  no  appyearance  of  a  force 
during  the  night,  in  the  direction  of  Chef  Menteur,  to 
hasten  and  join  him  with  the  troops  under  his  command : 
this  order  was  executed  by  one  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
Previously,  however,  to  his  arrival,  a  different  determina- 
tion was  made.  From  prisoners  who  had  been  brought 
in,  and  through  deserters,  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
strength  of  the  enemy,  during  the  battle,  was  four  thousand, 
and,,  with  the  reinforcements  which  had  reached  them, 
after  its  commencement,  and  during  the  action,  their  force 
could  not  be  less  than  six: — at  any  rate,  it  would  greatly 
exceed  his  own,  even  after  the  Tennessee  division  should 
be  added.  Although  very  decided  advantages  had  been 
obtained,  yet  they  had  been  procured  under  circumstances 
that  might  be  wholly  lost  in  a  contest  waged  in  open  day, 
between  forces  so  disproportionate,  and  by  undisciplined 
troops,  against  veteran  soldiers.  Jackson  well  knew  it 
was  incumbent  upon  him  to  act  a  part  entirely  defensive: 
should  the  attempt  to  gain  and  destroy  the  city  succeed, 
numerous  difficulties  would    present    themselves,   which 


CHAPTER  IX.  197 

might  be  avoided,  so  long  as  he  could  hold  the  enemy  in 
check,  and  halt  him  in  his  designs.  Prompted  by  these 
considerations — that  it  was  important  to  pursue  a  course 
calculated  to  assure  safety ;  and  believing  it  attainable  in 
no  way  so  effectually,  as  in  occupying  some  point,  and  by 
the  strength  he  might  give  it,  compensate  for  the  infe- 
riority of  his  numbers,  and  their  want  of  discipline,  he  de- 
termined to  forbear  all  further  offensive  efforts  until  he 
could  more  certainly  discover  the  views  of  the  enemy,  and 
until  the  Kentucky  troops,  which  had  not  yet  arrived, 
should  reach  him.  Pursuing  this  idea,  at  four  o'clock  in 
*  the  morning,  having  ordered  Colonel  Hinds  to  occupy  the 
ground  he  was  then  abandoning,  and  to  observe  the  enemy 
closely,  he  fell  back,  and  pitched  his  encampment  behind 
a  deep  ditch  that  stretched  to  the  swamp  at  right  angles 
from  the  river.  There  were  two  circumstances  strongly 
recommending  the  importance  of  this  place:  the  swamp, 
which,  from  the  high  lands  at  Baton  Rouge,  skirts  the 
river  at  irregular  distances,  and  is  in  many  places  almost 
impervious,  had  here  approached  within  four  hundred 
yards  of  the  Mississippi,  and  hence,  from  the  narrowness 
of  the  pass,  was  more  easily  to  be  defended;  added  to 
which,  there  was  a  deep  canal,  w^hence  the  dirt  being 
thrown  on  the  upper  side,  already  formed  a  tolerable 
work  of  defence.  Behind  this,  his  troops  were  formed, 
and  proper  measures  adopted  for  increasing  its  strength, 
with  a  determination  never  to  abandon  it;  but  there  va- 
liantly to  defend  those  rights  which  were  sought  to  be 
outraged  and  destroyed  by  our  enemy. 

Promptitude  in  decision,  and  activity  in  execution,  con- 
stitute the  leading  traits  of  Jackson's  character.  No 
sooner  resolved  on  the  course  deemed  necessary  to  be  pur- 
sued, than  with  every  possible  despatch  he  hastens  its  com- 
pletion. Before  him  was  an  army  proud  of  its  name,  and 
distinguished  for  deeds  of  valour.  Opposed  to  which  was 
his  own  unbending  spirit,  and  an  inferior,  undisciplined, 
and  unarmed  force.  He  conceived,  therefore,  his  to  be  a 
defensive  policy;  that  by  prudence  and  caution  he  might 
be  able  to  preserve,  what  offensive  operation  would  have  a 
tendency  to  endanger.  Hence,  with  activity  and  industry, 
based  on  a  hope  of  ultimate  success,  he  commenced  his 
plan  of  defence,  determining  to  fortify  himself  effectually, 
as  the  peril  and  pressure  of  the  moment  would  permit. 
When  to  expect  attack  he  could  not  tell;  preparation  and 
R  2 


198  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

readiness  to  meet  it,  was  for  him  to  determine,  all  else  was 
for  the  enemy.  Promptly,  therefore,  he  proceeded  with 
his  system  of  defence;  and  with  such  thoughtfulness  and 
anxiety — that  until  the  night  of  the  27th,  when  his  line 
was  completed,  he  never  slept,  or  for  a  moment  closed  his 
eyes.  Resting-  his  hope  of  safety  here,  he  was  every 
where,  through  the  night,  present,  encouraging  his 
troops,  and  hastening  a  completion  of  the  work.  The 
concern  and  excitement  produced  by  the  mighty  object 
before  him,  were  such  as  to  overcome  the  demands  of 
nature,  and  for  four  days  and  three  nights,  he  was  witii- 
out  sleep,  and  constantly  employed.  His  line  of  defence 
being  completed  on  the  night  of  the  27th,  he,  for  the  first 
time  since  the  arrival  of  the  enemy,  retired  to  rest  and  re- 
pose. 

The  soldier  who  has  stood  the  shock  of  battle,  and 
knows  what  slight  circumstances  oftentimes  produce  de- 
cided advantages,  will  be  able,  properly  to  appreciate  the 
events  of  this  night.  Although  the  dreadful  carnage  of 
the  8th  of  January,  was  in  fact  the  finishing  blow,  that 
struck  down  the  towering  hopes  of  those  invaders,  and 
put  an  end  to  the  contest,  yet  in  the  battle  of  the  23d,  is 
there  to  be  found  abundant  cause  why  success  resulted  to 
our  arms,  and  safety  was  given  to  the  country.  The  Bri- 
tish had  reached  the  Mississippi  without  the  fire  of  a  gun, 
and  encamped  upon  its  banks  as  composedly  as  if  they 
had  been  seated  on  their  own  soil,  and  at  a  distance  from 
all  danger.  These  were  circumstances  which  awakened 
a  belief  that  they  expected  little  opposition, — were  certain 
of  success, — and  that  the  troops  with  whom  they  were  to 
contend  v/ould  scarcely  venture  to  resist:  resting  thus  con- 
fidently, they  would  the  next  day  have  moved  forward, 
and  succeeded  in  the  accomplishment  of  their  designs. 
Jackson,  convinced  that  an  early  impression  was  essential 
to  ultimate  success,  had  resolved  to  assail  them  at  the  mo- 
ment of  their  landing,  and  "  attack  them  in  their  first  po- 
sition:" we  have,  therefore,  seen  him,  with  a  force  inferior 
one  half,  to  that  of  the  enemy,  at  an  unexpected  moment, 
break  into  their  camp,  and  with  his  undisciplined  yeo- 
manry, drive  before  him  the  pride  of  England,  and  the 
conquerors  of  Europe.  It  was  an  event  that  could  not 
fail  to  destroy  all  previous  theories,  and  establish  a  con- 
clusion, which  our  enemy  had  not  before  formed,  'that 
they  were  contending  against  valour  inferior  to  none  they 


CHAPTER  IX.  199 

had  seen ; — before  which  their  own  bravery  had  not  stood, 
nor  their  skill  availed  them :  it  had  the  effect  of  satisfying^ 
them,  that  the  quantity  and  kind  of  troops  it  was  in  our 
power  to  wield,  must  be  different  from  any  thing  that  had 
been  represented;  for  much  as  they  had  heard  of  the 
courage  of  the  man  with  whom  they  were  contending,  they 
could  not  suppose,  that  a  general  having  a  country  to  de- 
fend, and  a  reputation  to  preserve,  would  venture  to  attack, 
on  their  own  chosen  ground,  a  greatly  superior  army,  and 
one,  which,  by  the  numerous  victories  it  had  achieved, 
had  already  acquired  a  fame  in  arms ;  they  were  convinced 
that  his  force  must  greatly  surpass  what  they  had  expected, 
and  be  composed  of  materials  different  from  what  they  had 
imagined. 

The  American  troops,  which  were  actually  engaged, 
did  not  amount  to  two  thousand  men:  they  consisted  of 
part  of 

Coffee's  brigade  and  Captain  Beal's  company,         648 
The  7th  and  44th  regiments,  763 

Company  of  marines  and  artillery,  82 

Plauche's  and  Daquin's  battalions,  488 

1981* 
These,  for  more  than  one  hour,  maintained  a  severe  con- 
flict with  a  force  of  four  or  five  thousand,  and  retired  in 
safety  from  the  ground,  with  the  loss  of  but  twenty-four 
killed,  one  hundred  and  fifteen  wounded,  and  seventy-four 
made  prisoners ;  while  the  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners, 
if  the  enemy,  were  not  less  than  four  hundred. 

Our  officers  and  soldiers  executed  every  order  with 
promptitude,  and  nobly  sustained  their  country's  cha- 
racter. Lieutenant-colonel  Lauderdale,  of  Coffee's  bri- 
gade, an  officer  of  great  promise,  and  on  whom  every  re- 
liance was  placed,  fell  at  his  post,  and  at  his  duty :  he  had 
entered  the  service,  and  descended  the  river  with  the  vo- 
lunteers under  General  Jackson,  in  the  winter  of  1812 — 
passed  through  all  the  hardships  and  difficulties  of  the 
Creek  war,  and  had  ever  manifested  a  readiness  to  act 
when  his  country  needed  his  services.    Young,  brave,  and 

•  This  statement  was  furnished  to  tlie  author  by  Colonel  Robert 
Butler,  adjutant-general  of  the  southern  division,  who  assured  him  it 
was  correct.  Colonel  Hinds'  dragoons  from  Mississippi,  amounting  to 
186  men,  were  not  in  the  action. 


200  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

skilful,  he  had  already  afforded  evidences  of  a  capacity, 
which  might,  in  future,  have  become  useful;  his  exem- 
plary conduct,  both  in  civil  and  military  life,  had  acquired 
for  him  a  respect,  that  rendered  his  fall  a  subject  of  gene- 
ral regret.  Lieutenant  M'Lelland,  a  valuable  young  officer 
of  the  7th,  was  also  among  the  number  of  the  slain. 

Coffee's  brigade,  during  the  action,  imitating  the 
example  of  their  commander,  bravely  contended,  and 
ably  supported  the  character  they  had  previously  esta- 
blished. The  unequal  contest  in  which  they  were  en- 
gaged, never  occurred  to  them;  nor,  for  a  moment, 
checked  the  rapidity  of  their  advance.  Had  the  British 
known  they  were  merely  riflemen,  and  without  bayonets. 
a  firm  stand  would  have  arrested  their  progress,  and  de- 
struction or  capture  would  have  been  the  inevitable  con- 
sequence; but,  this  circumstance  being  unknown,  every 
charge  they  made  was  crowned  with  success,  producing 
discomfiture,  and  routing  and  driving  superior  numbers 
before  them.  Officers,  from  the  highest  to  inferior  grades, 
discharged  what  had  been  expected  of  them.  Ensign 
Leach,  of  the  7th  regiment,  being  wounded  through  the 
body,  still  remained  at  his  post,  and  in  the  performance 
of  his  duty.  Colonel  Kemper,  enterprising  and  self-col- 
lected, amidst  the  confusion  introduced  on  the  left  wing, 
found  himself  at»the  head  of  a  handful  of  men,  detached 
from  the  main  body,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  party  of  the 
enemy:  never  did  any  man  better  exemplify  the  truth  of 
the  position,  that  discretion  is  sometimes  the  better  part 
of  valour:  to  attempt  resistance  was  idle,  and  could  only 
eventuate  in  destruction:  with  a  mind  unclouded  by  the 
peril  that  surrounded  him,  he  sought  and  procured  his 
safety  through  stratagem.  Calling  to  a  group  of  soldiers 
who  were  near,  in  a  positive  tone,  he  dem.anded  of  thera 
where  their  regiment  was:  lost  themselves,  they  were  un- 
able to  answer:  but  supposing  him  to  be  one  of  their  o-vvn 
officers,  they  assented  to  his  orders,  and  followed  on  to  his 
own  line,  where  they  were  made  prisoners. 

The  7th  regiment,  commanded  by  Major  Piere,  and  the 
44th,  under  Major  Baker,  aided  by  Major  Butler,  gallantly 
maintained  the  conflict — forced  the  enemy  from  every  se- 
cure position  he  attempted  to  occupy,  and  drove  him  a 
mile  from  the  first  point  of  attack.  Confiding  in  them- 
selves, and  their  general,  who  was  constantly  with  them, 
exposed  to  danger,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  fight,  inspiring 


CHAFIER  IX.  201 

by  his  ardour,  and  encouraging  by  his  example,  they  ad- 
vanced to  the  conflict,  nor  evinced  a  disposition  to  leave 
it  until  the  prudence  of  their  commander  directed  them  to 
retire. 

From  the  violence  of  the  assault  already  made,  the  fears 
of  the  British  had  been  greatly  excited;  to  keep  that  ap- 
prehension alive  was  considered  important,  with  a  view 
partially  to  destroy  the  overweening  confidence  with  which 
they  had  arrived  on  our  shores,  and  to  compel  them  to 
act,  for  a  time,  upon  the  defensive.  To  effect  this,  Gene- 
ral Coffee,  with  his  brigade,  was  ordered  down  on  the 
morning  of  the  24th,  to  unite  with  Colonel  Hinds,  and 
make  a  show  in  the  rear  of  Lacoste's  plantation.  The 
enemy,  not  yet  recovered  of  the  panic  produced  by  the 
assault  of  the  preceding  evening,  already  believed  it  was 
in  contemplation  to  urge  another  attack,  and  immediately 
formed  themselves  to  repel  it;  but  Coffee  having  succeed- 
ed in  recovering  some  of  his  horses,  which  were  wander- 
ing along  the  margin  of  the  swamp,  and  in  regaining  part 
of  the  clothing  which  his  troops  had  lost  the  night  before, 
returned  to  the  line,  leaving  them  to  conjecture  the  ob- 
jects of  his  movement. 

The  scanty  supply  of  clothes  and  blankets  that  remain- 
ed to  the  soldiers,  from  their  long  and  exposed  marches, 
had  been  left  where  they  dismounted  to  meet  the  enemy. 
Their  numbers  were  too  limited,  and  the  strength  of  their 
opponents  too  well  ascertained,  for  any  part  of  their  force 
to  remain  and  take  care  of  what  was  left  behind:  it  was 
so  essential  to  hasten  on,  reach  their  destination,  and  be 
ready  to  act  when  the  signal  from  the  Caroline  should  an- 
nounce their  co-operation  necessary,  that  no  time  m  as  af- 
forded to  secure  their  horses; — they  were  turned  loose, 
and  their  recovery  trusted  entirely  to  chance.  Although 
many  were  regained,  many  were  lost;  while  most  of  the 
men  remained  but  with  a  single  suit,  to  encounter,  in  the 
open  field,  and  in  swamps  covered  with  water,  the  hard- 
ships of  camp,  and  the  severity  of  winter.  It  is  a  cir- 
cumstance which  entitles  them  to  much  credit,  that  under 
privations  so  severely  oppressive,  complaints  or  murmurs 
were  never  heard.  This  state  of  things  fortunately  was 
not  of  long  continuance.  The  story  of  their  sufferings 
and  misfortunes  was  no  sooner  known,  than  the  legisla- 
ture appropriated  a  sum  of  money  for  their  relief,  which 
was  increased  by  subscriptions  in  the  city  and  neighbour- 


202  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON, 

hood.  Materials  being  purchased,  the  ladies,  with  that 
Christian  charity  and  warmth  of  heart  characteristic  of 
their  sex,  at  once  exerted  themselves  in  removing  their 
distresses:  all  their  industry  was  called  into  action,  and 
in  a  little  time,  the  suffering  soldier  was  relieved.  Such 
generous  conduct,  in  extending  assistance  at  a  moment 
when  it  was  so  much  needed,  while  it  conferred  on  those 
females  the  highest  honour,  could  not  fail  to  nerve  the  , 
arm  of  the  brave  with  new  zeal  for  the  defence  of  their 
benefactresses.  This  distinguished  mark  of  their  patriot- 
ism and  benevolence,  is  still  remembered;  and  often  as 
these  valiant  men  are  heard  to  recount  the  dangers  they 
have  passed,  and  with  peculiar  pride  to  dwell  on  the 
mingled  honours  and  hardships  of  the  campaign,  they 
breathe  a  sentiment  of  gratitude  to  those  who  conferred 
upon  them  such  distinguished  marks  of  kindness,  and 
who,  by  timely  interference,  alleviated  their  misfortunes 
and  their  sufferings. 

To  present  a  check,  and  keep  up  a  show  of  resistance, 
detachments  of  light  troops  were  occasionally  kept  in 
front  of  the  line,  assailing  and  harassing  the  enemiy's  ad- 
vanced posts  whenever  an  opportunity  was  offered  of  act- 
ing to  advantage.  Every  moment  that  could  be  gained, 
and  every  delay  that  could  be  extended  to  the  enemy's  at- 
tempts to  reach  the  city,  was  of  the  utmost  importance. 
The  works  were  rapidly  progressing,  and  hourly  increas- 
ing in  strengtii.  The  militia  of  the  state  were  every  day 
arriving,  and  every  day  the  prospect  of  successful  opposi- 
tion was  brightening. 

The  enemy  still  remained  at  his  first  encampment.  To 
be  in  readiness  to  repel  an  assault  when  attempted,  the 
most  active  exertions  were  made  on  the  24th  and  25th. 
The  canal,  covering  the  front  of  our  line,  was  deepened 
and  widened,  and  a  strong  mud  wall  formed  of  the  earth 
that  had  been  originally  thrown  out  To  prevent  any  ap- 
proach until  his  system  of  defence  should  be  in  a  state  of 
greater  forwardness,  Jackson  ordered  the  levee  to  be  cut, 
about  a  hundred  yards  below  the  point  he  had  occupied. 
The  river  being  high,  a  broad  stream  of  water  passed  ra- 
pidly through  the  plain,  of  the  depth  of  thirty  or  forty 
inches,  which  prevented  any  approach  of  troops  on  foot. 
Embrasijires  were  fonned,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  were  Dlaced  in  a  position  to 
rake  the  road  leading  up  the  levee. 


CHAPTER  IX.  203 

The  General  was  under  constant  apprehensions,  lest,  in 
spite  of  his  exertions  below,  the  city  might,  through  some 
Other  route,  be  reached  and  destroyed;  and  those  fears 
were  increased  to-day,  by  a  report  that  a  strong  force  had 
arrived-— debarked  at  the  head  of  lake  Borgne,  and  com- 
pelled an  abandonment  of  the  defence  at  Chef  Menteur. 
This,  however,  proved  to  be  unfounded :  the  enemy  had 
not  appeared  in  that  direction,  nor  had  the  officer,  to 
whom  was  entrusted  the  command  of  this  fort,  so  much 
relied  on,  forgotten  his  duty,  or  forsaken  his  post.  Act- 
ing upon  the  statement  that  Major  Lacoste  had  retired 
from  the  fort,  and  fallen  back  on  bayou  St.  John,  and  in- 
censed that  orders,  which,  from  their  importance,  should 
have  been  faithfully  executed,  had  been  thus  lightly  re- 
garded, he  hastened  to  inform  him  what  he  had  under- 
stood, and  to  forbid  his  leaving  his  position.  •'  The  bat- 
tery I  have  placed  under  your  command,  must  be  defend- 
ed at  all  hazards.  In  you,  and  the  valour  of  your  troops, 
I  repose  every  confidence; — let  me  not  be  deceived. 
With  us,  every  thing  goes  on  well :  the  enemy  has  not 
yet  advanced.  Our  troops  have  covered  themselves  with 
glory:  it  is  a  noble  example,  and  worthy  to  be  followed 
by  all.  Maintain  your  post,  nor  ever  think  of  retreat- 
ing." To  give  additional  strength  to  a  place  deemed  so 
important — inspire  confidence,  and  ensure  safety.  Colonel 
Dyer,  and  two  hundred  men,  were  ordered  to  assist  in  its 
defence,  and  act  as  vldettes,  in  advance  of  the  occupied 
points. 

General  Morgan,  who,  at  the  English  turn,  command- 
ed the  fort  on  the  east  bank  'of  the  river,  was  instructed 
to  proceed  as  near  the  enemy's  camp  as  prudence  and 
safety  would  permit,  and,  by  destroying  the  levee,  to  let 
in  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi  between  them.  The  exe- 
cution of  this  order,  and  a  similar  one,  previously  made, 
below  the  line  of  defence,  had  entirely  insulated  the  enemy, 
and  prevented  his  march  against  either  place.  On  the 
26th,  however,  the  commanding  general  fearing  for  the 
situation  of  Morgan,  who,  from  the  British  occupying 
the  intermediate  ground,  was  entirely  detached  from  his 
camp,  directed  him  to  abandon  his  encampment,  carry 
off  such  of  the  cannon  as  might  be  wanted,  and  throw  the 
remainder  into  the  river,  where  they  could  be  again  reco- 
vered when  the  waters  receded ;  to  retire  to  the  other  side 
of  the  river,  and  assume  a  position  on  the  right  bank. 


204  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

nearly  opposite  to  his  line,  and  have  it  fortified.  This 
movement  was  imposed  by  the  relative  disposition  of  the 
two  armies.  Necessity,  not  choice,  made  it  essential  that 
St.  Leon  should  be  abandoned. 

From  intelligence,  obtained  through  deserters  and  pri- 
soners, it  was  evident  that  the  British  fleet  would  make 
an  effort  to  ascend  the  river,  and  co-operate  with  the 
troops  already  landed.  Lest  this,  or  a  diversion  in  a  diffe- 
rent quarter,  might  be  attempted,  exertions  were  made  to 
be  able  to  resist  at  all  points,  and  to  interpose  such  de- 
fences on  the  Mississippi  as  might  assure  protection. 
The  forts  on  the  river,  well  supported  with  brave  men, 
and  heavy  pieces  of  artillery,  might,  perhaps,  have  the 
effect  to  deter  their  shipping  from  venturing  in  that  di- 
rection, and  dispose  them  to  seek  some  safer  route,  if  any 
could  be  discovered.  Pass  Barrataria  was  best  calculat- 
ed for  this  purpose,  and  here,  in  all  probability,  it  was 
expected  the  effort  might  be  made.  The  difficulty  of  as- 
cending the  Mississippi,  from  the  rapidity  of  the  current, 
its  winding  course,  and  the  ample  protection  already  given 
at  forts  St.  Philip  and  Bourbon,  were  circumstances  to 
which,  it  was  not  to  be  inferred,  the  British  were  stran- 
gers: nor  was  it  to  be  expected,  that,  with  a  knowledge 
of  them,  they  would  venture  here  the  success  of  an  enter- 
prise on  which  sor  much  depended.  It  was  a  more  ra- 
tional conjecture  that  they  would  seek  a  passage  through 
Barrataria — proceed  up  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and 
gain  a  position  whence,  co-operating  with  the  forces  on 
the  east  side,  they  might  drive  our  troops  from  the  line 
they  had  formed,  and,  at  less  hazard,  succeed  in  the  ac- 
complishment of  their  designs.  Major  Reynolds  was  ac- 
cordingly ordered  thither,  with  instructions  to  place  the 
bayous,  emptying  through  this  pass,  in  the  best  possible 
state  of  defence — to  occupy  and  strengthen  the  island — 
to  mount  sufficient  ordnance,  and  draw  a  chain,  within 
cannon-shot,  across,  the  more  efTcctually  to  guard  the 
route,  and  protect  it  from  approach.  Lafite,  who  had 
been  heretofore  promised  pardon  for  the  outrages  he  had 
committed  against  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  who 
had  already  shown  a  lively  zeal  in  behtilf  of  his  adopted 
country,  was  also  despatched  with  Reynolds.  He  was 
selected,  because,  from  the  proofs  already  given,  no  doubt 
was  entertained  of  his  fidelity,  and  because  his  knowledge 
of  the  topography  and  precise  situation  of  this  section  of 


CHAPTER  IX.  20$ 

the  state,  was  remarkably  correct:  it  was  the  point  where 
he  had  constantly  rendezvoused,  during  the  time  of  cruis- 
ing against  the  merchant  vessels  of  Spain,  under  a  com- 
mission obtained  at  Carthagena,  and  where  he  had  be- 
come perfectly  acquainted  with  every  inlet  and  entrance 
to  the  gulf  through  which  a  passage  could  be  effected. 

With  these  arrangements — treason  apart — all  anxious- 
ly alive  to  the  interest  of  the  country,  and  disposed  to 
protect  it,  there  was  little  room  to  apprehend  or  fear  dis- 
aster. To  use  the  General's  own  expression,  on  another 
occasion,  "  the  surest  defence,  and  one  which  seldom 
failed  of  success,  was  a  rampart  of  high-minded  and  brave 
men."  That  there  were  some  of  this  description  with 
him,  on  whom  he  could  safely  rely,  in  moments  of  ex- 
treme peril,  he  well  knew;  but  that  there  were  many, 
strangers  to  him  and  danger,  and  who  had  never  been 
called  to  act  in  those  situations  where  death,  stalking  in 
hideous  round,  appals  and  unnerves  even  the  most  reso- 
lute, was  equally  certain;  whether  they  wouhS- contend 
v.ith  manly  firmness — support  the  cause  in  which  they 
had  embarked,  and  realize  his  anxious  wishes  on  the  sub- 
ject, could  be  only  knov/n  in  the  moment  of  conflict  and 
trial;  when,  if  disappointed  in  his  expectations,  the  means 
of  retrie\ing  the  evil  would  be  fled,  and  every  thing  lost 
in  the  result. 

As  yet  the  enemy  were  uninformed  of  the  position  of 
Jackson.  What  was  his  situation — what  was  intended — 
whether  offensive  or  defensive  operations  v.ould  be  pur- 
sued, were  circumstances  on  which  they  possessed  no 
correct  knowledge,  nor  could  it  be  obtained;  still  their 
exertions  were  unremitting  to  have  all  things  prepared, 
and  in  readiness  to  urge  their  designs  whenever  the  mo- 
ment for  action  should  arrive.  They  had  been  constant- 
ly engaged,  since  their  landing,  in  procuring  from  their 
shipping  every  thing  necessary  to  ulterior  operation.  A 
complete  command  on  the  lakes,  and  possession  of  a  point 
on  the  margin,  presented  an  uninterrupted  ingress  and 
egress,  and  afforded  the  opportunity  of  conveying  what- 
ever was  wanted,  in  perfect  safety  to  their  camp.  The 
height  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  discharge  of  water 
through  the  openings  made  in  the  levee,  had  given  an  in- 
creased depth  to  the  canal,  from  v/hich  they  had  first  de- 
barked— enabled  them  to  advance  their  boats  much  fur- 
ther, in  the  direction  of  the  encampment,  and  to.  transport 
s 


306  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

with  greater  convenience,  their  artillery,  bombs  and  mu- 
nitions. Thus  engaged,  during  the  first  three  days  after 
their  arrival,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  a  battery 
was  discovered  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  had  been 
erected  during  the  preceding  night,  and  on  wkich  were 
mounted  several  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance;  from  this  po- 
sition a  fire  was  opened  on  the  Caroline  schooner,  lying 
under  the  opposite  shore- 
After  the  battle  of  the  23d,  in  which  this  vessel  so  ef- 
fectually aided,  she  passed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  ri- 
ver, where  she  had  since  lain.  Her  services  were  too 
highly  appreciated  not  to  be  again  desired,  in  the  event 
the  enemy  should  endeavour  to  advance.  The  situation 
occupied  was  considered  an  unsafe  one,  but  it  had  been 
essayed  in  vain  to  advance  her  higher  up  the  stream. 
No  favourable  breeze  had  arisen  to  aid  in  stemming  the 
current;  while  towing,  and  other  expedients  had  been  al- 
ready resorted  to,  but  without  success.  Safety  might 
have  been  ensured  by  floating  this  vessel  down  the  river 
and  placing  her  under  cover  of  the  guns  of  the  fort,  though 
it  was  preferred  as  matter  of  policy,  to  risk  her  where 
she  was,  still,  hourly,  calculating  that  a  favourable  wind 
might  arise,  rather  than  by  dropping  her  with  the  cur- 
rent, lose  those  benefits  which,  against  an  advance  of  the 
enemy,  it  might  be;  in  her  power  so  completely  to  extend. 
Commodore  Patterson  on  the  26th,  by  the  orders  of  the 
commanding  general,  left  the  schooner,  when  Capiain, 
Heiily  made  a  further,  but  ineffectual,  effort  to  force  her 
up  the  current,  near  to  the  line,  for  the  double  purpose  of 
its  defence  and  her  own  safety. 

These  attempts  at  removal  being  discovered,  at  day- 
light, on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  a  battery,  mounting 
five  guns  opened,  discharging  bombs  and  red  hot  shot; 
it  'was  spiritedly  answered,  but  without  affecting  the  bat- 
tery; thei^  being  but  a  long  twelve  pounder  that  could 
reach.  The  second  fire  had  lodged  a  hot  shot  in  the  hold, 
directly  under  her  cables,  whence  it  could  not  be  removed, 
and  where  it  immediately  communicated  fire  to  the  schoo- 
ner. The  shot  from  the  battery  were  constantly  taking 
effect,  firing  her  in  different  places,  and  otherwise  pro- 
ducing material  injury;  while  the  blaze  already  kindled 
under  the  cables,  was  rapidly  extending  its  ravages.  A 
well  grounded  apprehension,  that  she  could  be  no  longer 
defended — the  flames  bursting  forth  in  different  parts,  and 


CHAPTER    IX.  207 

fast  increasing,  induced  a  fear  lest  the  magazine  should 
be  reached,  and  every  thing  destroyed.  One  of  the  crew 
being  killed,  and  six  wounded,  and  not  a  glimmering  of 
hope  entertained  that  she  could  be  preserved,  orders  were 
given  to  abandon  her.  The  crew  in  safety  reached  the 
shore,  and  in  a  short  time  afterwards  she  blew  up. 

Although  thus  unexpectedly  deprived  of  so  material  a 
dependence,  for  successful  defence,  an  opportunity  was 
soon  presented  of  using  her  brave  crew  to  advantage. 
Gathering  confidence  from  what  had  been  just  effected, 
the  enemy  left  their  encampment,  and  moved  in  the  di- 
rection of  our  line.  Their  numbers  had  been  increased, 
and  Major-general  Sir  Edward  Packenham  now  com- 
manded in  person.  Early  on  the  28th,  his  columns  com- 
menced their  advance  to  storm  our  works.  At  the  dis- 
tance of  half  a  mile,  their  heavy  artillery  opened,  and 
quantities  of  bombs,  balls  and  congreve  rocketg,  were  diit- 
charged.  It  was  a  scene  of  terror  and  alarm,  which  they 
had  calculated  would  excite  a  panic  in  the  minds  of  the 
raw  troops  of  our  army,  and  compel  them  to  surrender 
at  discretion,  or  abandon  their  strong  hold.  But  our  sol- 
diers had  afforded  abundant  proof,  that  whether  disciplin- 
ed or  not,  they  well  knew  how  to  defend  the  honour  and 
interest  of  their  country;  and  had  sufficient  valour  not  to 
be  alarmed  at  the  reality — still  less  the  semblance  of  dan- 
ger. Far  from  exciting  apprehension,  and  driving  them 
from  their  ground,  their  firmness  remained  unchanged; — 
still  was  manifested  a  determination  not  to  tarnish  a  reputa- 
tion they  had  hardly  earned;  and  which  had  become  too 
dear,  from  the  difficulties  and  dangers  they  had  passed  to  ac- 
quire it  now,  for  it  tamely  to  be  surrendered.  Their  con- 
greve rockets,  though  a  kind  of  instrument  of  destruction  to 
which  our  troops,  unskilled  in  the  science  of  desolating  war- 
fare, had  been  hitherto  strangers,  excited  no  other  feeling 
than  that  which  novelty  inspires.  At  the  moment,  there- 
fore, that  the  British,  in  different  columns,  were  moving 
up,  in  all  the  pomp  and  parade  of  battle,  preceded  by  those 
insignia,  of  terror,  more  than  danger,  and  were  expecting  to 
behold  their  "  Yankee  foes"  tremblingly  retire  and  flee  be- 
fore them,  our  batteries  opened,  and  halted  their  advance. 

In  addition  to  the  two  pieces  of  cannon  mounted  on  our 
works,  on  the  24th,  three  others,  of  heavy  caliber,  ob- 
tained from  the  navy  department,  had  been  formed  along 
the  line:  these  opening  on  the  enemy,  checked  their  pro- 


208  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

gress,  and  disclosed  to  them  the  hazard  of  the  project 
they  were  on.  Lieutenants  Crawley  and  Norris  with  the 
crew  of  the  Caroline  rendered  important  services,  and 
maintained,  at  the  guns  they  commanded,  that  firmness 
and  decision  for  which,  on  previous  occasions,  they  had 
been  so  highly  distinguished.  They  had  been  selected  by 
the  General,  because  of  their  superior  skill  in  gunnery; 
and,  on  this  occasion,  gave  evidence  of  a  disposition  to 
act  in  any  situation  where  they  could  be  serviceable. 

Lieutenant  Thompson,  v/ho  commanded  the  Louisiana 
sloop,  which  lay  nearly  opposite  the  line  of  defence,  no 
sooner  discovered  the  columns  approaching,  than  warping 
-her  around,  he  brought  her  guns  to  bear,  and  produced 
such  an  effect  as  to  force  a  retreat:  but,  from  their  heavy 
artillery,  the  enemy  maintained  the  conflict  with  great 
spirit,  constantly  discharging  for  seven  hours  bombs  and 
rockets,  when,  unable  to  make  a  breach,  or  silence  the 
fire  from  the  sloop,  they  abandoned  a  contest  where  few 
advantages  seemed  to  be  presented.  In  this  engagement, 
which  lasted  for  seven  hours,  we  received  little  or  no  in- 
jury. The  Louisiana  sloop,  against  which  the  most  vio- 
lent exertions  were  made,  had  but  a  single  man  wounded, 
by  the  fragments  of  a  shell,  which  bursted  over  her  deck. 
Our  entire  loss  did  not  exceed  nine  killed,  and  eight  or 
ten  wounded.  The  enemy,  being  more  exposed,  acting 
in  the  open  field,  and  in  range  of  our  guns,  suffered,  from 
information  afterwards  procured,  considerable  injury;  at 
least  one  hundred  and  twenty  were  killed  and  wounded. 
Amongst  the  killed,  on  our  side,  was  Colonel  James  Hen- 
derson, of  the  Tennessee  militia. 

During  the  time  that  this  assault  was  made,  a  column 
of  the  enemy  threatened  an  attack  on  our  extreme  left ;  to 
counteract  which.  Coffee  was  ordered  with  his  riflemen 
to  hasten  through  the  woods,  and  check  their  approach. 
The  enemy,  although  greatly  superior  to  him  in  numbers, 
no  sooner  discovered  his  movement  than  they  retired,  and 
abandoned  the  attack  they  had  previously  meditated. 

A  supposed  disaffection  in  New  Orleans,  and  an  enemy 
in  front,  were  circumstances  well  calculated  to  excite  un- 
pleasant forebodings.  General  Jackson  believed  it  neces- 
sary and  essential  to  his  security,  while  contending  with 
avowed  foes,  not  to  be  wholly  inattentive  to  dangers  lurk- 
ing at  home;  but,  by  guarding  vigilantly,  to  be  able  to 
suppress  any  threatening  purpose  the  moment  it  should 


CHAPTER  IX.  20$ 

be  developed,  and  before  it  should  have  time  to  mature. 
Previously  to  departing-  from  the  city,  on  the  evening  of 
the  23d,  he  had  ordered  Major  Butler,  his  aid^  to  remain 
with  the  guards,  and  be  vigilant  that  nothing  transpired 
in  his  absence  calculated  to  operate  injuriously.  His 
fears  that  there  were  many  of  the  inhabitants  who  felt  no 
attachment  to  the  government,  and  would  not  scruple  to 
surrender,  whenever,  prompted  by  interest,  it  should  be- 
come necessary,  has  been  already  noticed.  In  this  belief, 
subsequent  circumstances  evinced  there  was  no  mistake, 
and  showed  that  to  his  assiduity  and  energy  is  to  be  as- 
cribed the  cause  the  country  was  protected  and  saved. 
It  is  a  fact,  which  was  disclosed,  on  making  an  exchange 
of  prisoners,  that,  in  despite  of  every  effort  to  prevent  it, 
the  eneniy  were  constantly  apprized  of  every  thing  that 
transpired  in  our  camp.  Every  arrangement,  and  change 
of  position,  was  immediately  communicated.  "  Nothing"^'* 
remarked  a  British  officer,  at  the  close  of  the  invasion, 
*'  was  kept  a  secret  from  us,  except  your  numbers:  this, 
although  diligently  sought  after,  could  never  be  procured. " 
Between  the  23d  and  28th,  Major  T.  Butler,  who  still 
remained  at  his  post  in  the  city,  was  applied  to  by  Fuhvar 
Skipwith,  speaker  of  the  senate,  to  ascertain  the  cora- 
manding  general's  views,  provided  he  should  be  driven 
from  his  line  of  encampment,  and  compelled  to  retreat 
through  the  city;  would  he,  in  that  event,  destroy  it?  It 
was,  indeed,  a  curious  inquiry:  one  who,  having  spent  his 
life  in  serving  his  country  in  different  capacities,  might 
better  have  understood  the  duty  of  a  subordinate  officer; 
and  that  even  if,  from  his  situation,  the  aid  had  so  far  ac- 
quired the  confidence  of  the  General  as  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  his  vievr's  and  designs,  he  was  not  at  liberty 
to  divulge  them,  without  destroying  confidence  and  acting 
criminally.  On  asking  the  cause  of  the  inquiry,  Mr.  Skip- 
with replied,  it  was  rumoured,  and  so  understood,  that  if 
driven  from  his  position,  and  made  to  retreat  upon  the 
city.  General  Jackson  had  it  in  contemplation  to  lay  it  in 
ruins;  the  legislature,  desired  information  on  this  subject, 
that  if  such  were  his  intentions,  they  might,  by  offering 
terms  to  the  enemy,  avert  so  serious  a  calamity.  That  a 
sentiment  having  for  its  object  a  surrender  of  the  city, 
should  be  entertained  by  this  body,  was  scarcely  credible; 
yet  a  few  days  brought  the  certainty  of  it  more  fully  to 
view,  and  showed  that  they  were  already  devising  plans 
s  2 


210  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

to  ensure  the  safety  of  themselves  and  property,  even  at 
any  sacrifice.  While  the  General  was  hastening  along 
the  line,  from  ordering  Coffee,  as  we  have  just  observed, 
against  a  column  of  the  British  on  the  extreme  left,  he 
was  hailed  by  Mr.  Duncan,  one  of  his  volunteer  aids,  and 
informed,  that  already  it  was  agitated,  secretly,  by  the 
members  of  the  legislature,  to  offer  terms  of  capitulation 
to  the  enemy,  and  to  proffer  a  surrender;  and  that  Gover- 
nor Claiborne  awaited  his  orders  on  the  subject.  Poised 
as  was  the  result,  the  safety  or  fall  of  the  city  resting  in 
uncertainty,  although  it  was  plainly  to  be  perceived,  that, 
with  a  strong  army  interposed,  no  such  resolution  could 
be  carried  into  effect,  yet  it  might  be  productive  of  evil, 
and,  in  the  end,  bring  about  disasterous  consequences. 
Even  the  disclosure  of  such  a  wish  on  the  part  of  the  le- 
gislature, might  create  parties — excite  opposition  in  the 
army,  and  inspire  the  enemy  with  renewed  confidence. 
The  volunteers,  it  was  not  feared  would  be  affected  by  the 
measure;  yet  it  might  detach  the  Louisiana  militia,  and 
even  extend  itself  to  the  ranks  of  the  regular  troops. 
Jackson  was  greatly  incensed,  that  those  whose  safety  he 
had  so  much  at  heart,  should  be  seeking,  under  the  au- 
thority of  office,  to  mar  his  best  exertions.  He  was  too 
v.'armly  pressed,  at  the  moment,  for  the  battle  was  rag- 
ing, to  give  it  the  .attention  its  importance  merited;  but, 
availing  himself  of  the  first  respite  from  the  violence  of  the 
attack  waged  against  him,  he  apprized  Governor  Clai- 
borne of  what  he  had  heard; — ordered  him  closely  to 
watch  the  conduct  of  the  legislature,  and  the  moment  the 
project  of  offering  a  capitulation  to  the  enemy  should  be 
lully  disclosed,  to  place  a  guard  at  the  door  and  confine 
them  to  their  chamber.  The  Governor  in  his  zeal  to  exe- 
cute the  command,  and  from  a  fear  of  the  consequences 
involved  in  such  conduct,  construed  as  imperative,  an 
order  which  was  merely  contingent;  and,  placing  an  armed 
force  at  the  door  of  the  capitol,  prevented  the  members 
from  convening,  and  their  schemes  from  maturing. 

The  purport  of  this  order  was  essentially  misconceived 
by  the  Governor;  or,  perhaps,  with  a  view  to  avoid  sub- 
sequent inconveniences  and  complaints,  was  designedly 
mistaken.  Jackson's  object  was  not  to  restrain  the  legis- 
lature in  the  discharge  of  their  official  duties;  for  although 
he  thought,  when  the  sound  of  the  cannon  constantly  peal- 
ed in  their  ears,  Avas  a  moment  inauspicious  to  wholesome 


CHAPTER  IX.  21! 

legislation,  and  that  it  would  better  comport  with  the 
state  of  the  times  for  them  to  abandon  their  civil  duties 
and  appear  in  the  field,  yet  was  it  a  matter  indelicate  to 
be  proposed;  and  it  was  hence  preferred,  that  they  should 
adopt  whatever  course  might  be  suggested  by  their  own 
notions  of  patriotism  and  propriety.  This  sentiment 
would  have  been  adhered  to;  but  when  through  the  com- 
munication of  Mr.  Duncan,  they  were  represented  as  en- 
tertaining opinions  and  schemes  adverse  to  the  general 
interest  and  safety  of  the  country,  the  necessity  of  a  new 
and  different  course  of  conduct  was  at  once  obvious.  But 
he  did  not  order  Governor  Claiborne  to  interfere  with,  or 
prevent  them  from  proceeding  with  their  duties;  on  the 
contrary,  he  was  instructed,  so  soon  as  any  thing  hostile 
to  the  general  cause  should  be  ascertained,  to  place  a  guard 
at  the  door,  and  keep  the  members  to  their  post  and  to 
their  duty.  My  object  in  this,  remarked  the  General, 
wa^,  that  then  they  would  be  able  to  proceed  with  their 
business  without  producing  the  slightest  injury :  whatever 
schemes  they  entertained  would  have  remained  with  them- 
selves, without  the  power  of  circulating  them  to  the  pre- 
judice of  any  other  interest  than  their  own.  I  had  intend- 
ed to  have  had  them  well  treated  and  kindly  dealt  by;  and 
thus  abstracted  from  every  thing  passing  without  doors, 
a  better  opportunity  would  have  been  afforded  to  enact 
good  and  wholesome  laws;  but  Governor  Claiborne  mis- 
took my  order,  and  instead  of  shutting  them  in  doors, 
contrary  to  my  wishes  and  expectation,  turned  them  out. 
Previous  to  this,  General  Jackson  had  been  called  on 
by  a  special  committee  of  the  legislature  to  know  what 
his  course  would  be  should  necessity  compel  himi  from  his 
position?  If,  replied  the  General,  I  thought  the  hair  of 
my  head  could  divine  what  I  should  do,  forthwith  I  would 
cut  it  off:  go  back  with  this  answer;  say  to  your  honour- 
able body,  that  if  disaster  does  overtake  me,  and  the  fate 
of  war  drives  me  from  my  line  upon  the  city,  they  may 
expect  to  have  a  very  warm  session.  And  what  did  you 
design  to  do,  I  inquired,  provided  you  had  been  forced 
to  retreat.  I  should,  he  replied,  have  retreated  on  the 
city,  fired  it,  and  fought  the  enemy  amidst  the  surround- 
ing flames.  There  were  with  me  men  of  wealth,  owners 
of  considerable  property,  who,  in  such  an  event,  would 
have  been  amongst  the  foremost  to  have  applied  the  torch 
to  their  own  buildings;  and  v/hat  they  had  left  undone,  I 


212  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

should  have  completed.  Nothing  for  the  comfortable 
maintenance  of  the  enemy  would  have  been  left  in  the 
rear.  I  would  have  destroyed  New  Orleans — occupied  a 
position  above  on  the  river — cut  off  all  supplies,  and  in  this 
way  compelled  them  to  depart  from  the  country. 

We  shall  not  pretend  to  ascribe  this  conduct  to  disaf- 
fection to  the  government,  or  to  treasonable  motives. 
The  impulse  that  produced  it  was,  no  doubt,  interest — 
a  principle  of  the  human  mind  which  strongly  sways,  and 
often  destroys  its  best  conclusions.  The  disparity  of  the 
two  armies,  in  numbers,  preparation,  and  discipline,  had 
excited  apprehension,  and  destroyed  hope.  If  Jackson 
were  driven  back,  and  little  else  was  looked  for,  rumour 
fixed  his  determination  of  devoting  the  city  to  destruc- 
tion: but  even  if  such  were  not  his  intention,  the  wrath 
and  vengeance  of  the  enemy  might  be  fairly  calculated  to 
be  in  proportion  to  the  opposition  they  should  receive. 
Although  these  considerations  may  somewhat  palliate,- 
they  do  not  justify.  The  government  was  represented  in 
the  person  of  the  commanding  general,  on  whom  rested 
all  responsibility,  and  whose  voice  on  the  subject  of  re- 
sistance or  capitulation,  should  alone  have  been  heard. 
In  the  field  were  persons  who  were  enduring  hardships, 
and  straining  every  nerve,  for  the  general  safety.  A  few 
of  the  members  of , the  legislature  too,  were  there,  who  did 
not  despond.*  Might  not  patriotism,  then,  have  admo- 
nished the  members,  honoured  as  they  were  with  the  con- 
fidence of  the  people,  rather  to  have  pursued  a  course, 
having  for  its  object  to  keep  alive  excitement,  than  to 
have  endeavoured  to  introduce  fear,  and  paralyze  exertion. 
Such  conduct,  if  productive  of  nothing  worse,  was  well 
calculated  to  excite  alarm.  If  the  militia,  who  had  been 
hastily  drawn  to  the  camp,  and  who  were  yet  trembling 
for  the  safety  of  their  families,  had  been  told,  that  a  few 
private  men,  of  standing  in  society,  had  expressed  their 
opinions,  and  declared  resistance  useless,  it  would,  with- 
out doubt,  have  occasioned  serious  apprehensions;  but, 
in  a  much  greater  degree  would  they  be  calculated  to 
arise,  when  told  that  the  legislative  council,  chosen  to 
preside  over  the  safety  and  destinies  of  the  state,  after  d  ic 

*  But  four  of  the  legislature  appeared  in  the  ficl<l,  to  defend  the 
country.  We  rei^rct  not  knowing  the  name  of  one  of  these  persons: 
those  ^ve  have  ascertained  arc,  General  Garrignc  Flojack,  Major  Ezicl» 
and  Mr.  BuforU 


CHAPTER  IX.  213 

deliberation,  had  pronounced  all  attempts  at  successful 
opposition,  vain  and  ineffectual. 

Here  was  an  additional  reason  why  expedients  should 
be  devised,  and  every  precaution  adopted,  to  prevent  any 
communication,  by  which  the  slightest  intelligence  should 
be  had  of  our  situation,  already,  indeed,  sufficiently  de- 
plorable. Additional  guards  were  posted  along  the  swamp, 
on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi,  to  arrest  all  intercourse; 
while  on  the  river,  the  common  highway,  watch  boats 
were  constantly  plying  during  the  night,  in  different  di- 
rections, so  that  a  log  could  scarcely  float  upon  the  stream 
unperceived.  Two  flat-bottomed  boats,  on  a  dark  night, 
were  turned  adrift  above,  to  ascertain  if  vigilance  were 
preserved,  and  whether  there  would  be  any  possibility  of 
escaping  the  guards  and  passing  in  safety  to  the  British 
lines.  The  light  boats  discovered  them  on  their  passage, 
and  on  the  alarm  being  given,  they  were  opened  upon  by 
the  Louisiana  sloop^  and  the  batteries  on  the  shore^  and  ill 
a  few  minutes  sunk.  In  spite,  however,  of  every  precau- 
tion, treason  still  discovered  avenues  through  which  to 
project  and  execute  her  nefarious  plans,  and  through  them 
was  constantly  afforded  information  to  the  enemy;  carried 
to  them,  no  doubt,  by  adventurous  friends,  "Vvho  sought 
and  effected  their  nightly  passage  through  the  deepest 
parts  of  the  swamp,  where  it  was  impossible  for  sentinels 
to  be  stationed.* 

Great  inconvenience  was  sustained  for  the  want  of  arms, 
and  much  anxiety  felt,  lest  the  enemy,  through  their  faith- 
ful adherents,  might,  on  this  subject  also,  obtain  informa- 
tion; to  prevent  it,  as  far  as  possible,  General  Jackson 
endeavoured  to  conceal  the  strength  and  situation  of  his 
army,  by  suffering  his  reports  to  be  seen  by  none  but  him- 
self and  the  adjutant-general.  Many  of  the  troops  in  the 
field  were  supplied  with  common  guns,  which  were  of 
little  service.  The  Kentucky  troops,  daily  expected, 
were  also  understood  to  be  badly  provided  with  arms. 
Uncertain  but  that  the  city  might  yet  contain  many  arti- 
cles that  would  be  serviceable,  orders  were  issued  to  the 
mayor  of  New  Orleans,  directing  him  to  take  possession 
of  all  the  muskets,  bayonets,  spades,  and  axes  he  could 
find  in  the  city.  Understanding  there  were  many  young 
men,  who,  from  different  pretexts,  had  not  appeared  in 

*  See  note  C, 


214  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  field,  he  was  instructed  to  obtain  a  register  of  every 
man  in  the  city,  under  the  age  of  fifty,  that  measures 
might  be  concerted  for  drawing  forth  those  who  had  hi- 
therto appeared  backward  in  engaging  in  the  pending 
contest 


CHAPTER  X. 

Attack  of  the  1st  of  January. — General  Jacksons's  line  of  defence, — 
Kentucky  troops  arrive  at  head-quarters. — British  army  reinforced; 
their  preparations  for  attack. — Battle  of  the  8th  of  January,  and 
repulse  of  the  enemy. — American  redoubt  carried,  and  retaken. — 
Colonel  Thornton  proceeds  against  General  Morgan's  line,  and  takes 
possession  of  it. — Letter  of  Captain  Wilkinson. — British  watch 
ijvord.— Generouft  conduct  of  the  Anrcrican  soldiers. — Morgan's 
line  regained. — General  Lambert  requests  a  suspension  of  hostili- 
ties.— Armistice  concluded. — Execution  of  an  American  soldier  by 
the  British. 

The  British  were  encamped  two  miles  below  the  Ame- 
rican army,  on  a  perfect  plain,  and  in  full  view.  Although 
foiled  in  the  attempt  to  carry  our  works  by  the  force  of 
their  batteries,  on  the  28th,  they  yet  resolved  upon  ano- 
ther attack,  and  one  which  they  believed  would  be  more 
successful.  Presuming  the  failure  to  have  arisen  from 
not  having  sufficiently  strong  batteries,  and  heavy  ord- 
nance, a  more  enlarged  arrangement  was  resorted  to, 
with  a  confidence  of  silencing  opposition,  and  effecting 
such  breaches  in  our  entrenchment  as  would  enable  their 
columns  to  pass,  without  being  exposed  to  any  considera- 
ble hazard.  The  interim  between  the  28th  of  December 
and  1st  of  January  was  accordingly  spent  in  preparing  to 
execute  their  designs.  Boats  had  been  despatched  to  the 
shipping,  and  an  additional  supply  of  heavy  cannon  ob- 
tained through  Bayou  Bienvenu,  whence  they  had  first  de- 
barked. 

During  the  night  of  the  31st,  they  were  busily  engaged. 
An  impenetrable  fog,  next  morning,  which  was  not  dis- 
pelled until  nine  o'clock,  by  concealing  their  purpose, 
aided  in  the  plans  they  were  projecting,  and  gave  time  for 
the  completion  of  their  works.     This  having  disappeared, 


CHAPTER    X«  SrS 

several  heavy  batteries,  at  the  distance  of  six  hundred 
yards,  mounting  eighteen  and  twenty-four  pound  carro- 
nades,  were  presented  to  view.  No  sooner  was  it  suffi- 
ciently clear  to  distinguish  objects  at  a  distance,  than  these 
were  opened,  and  a  tremendous  burst  of  artillery  com- 
menced, accompanied  with  congreve  rockets,  that  filled 
the  air  in  all  directions.  Our  troops,  protected  by  a  de- 
fence, which,  from  their  constant  labours  and  exertions, 
they  believed  to  be  impregnable,  unmoved  and  undisturb- 
ed, maintained  their  ground,  and,  by  skilful  management, 
in  the  end,  succeeded  in  dismounting  and  silencing  the 
guns  of  the  enemy.  The  British,  through  the  friendly 
interference  of  some  disaffected  citizens,  having  been  ap- 
prized of  the  situation  of  the  General's  quarters,  that  he 
dwelt  in  a  house  at  a  small  distance  in  the  rear  of  his  line 
of  defence,  against  it  directed  their  first  and  principal  ef- 
forts, with  a  view  to  destroy  the  commander.  So  great 
was  the  number  of  balls  thrown,  that,  in  a  little  while,  its 
porticos  were  beaten  down,  and  the  building  made  a  com- 
plete wreck.  In  this  dishonourable  design,  they  were, 
however,  disappointed;  for,  with  Jackson  it  was  a  con- 
stant practice,  on  the  first  appearance  of  danger,  not  to 
wait  in  his  quarters,  watching  events,  but  instantly  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  line,  and  be  ready  to  form  his  arrangements 
as  circumstances  might  require.  Constantly  in  expecta- 
tion of  a  charge,  he  was  never  absent  from  the  post  of 
danger;  and  thither  he  had  this  morning  repaired,  at  the 
first  sound  of  the  cannon,  to  aid  in  defence,  and  inspire 
his  troops  with  firmness.  Our  guns,  along  the  line,  now 
opened,  to  repel  the  assault,  and  a  t;onstant  roar  of  can- 
non, on  both  sides,  continued  until  nearly  noon;  when, 
by  the  superior  skill  of  our  engineers,  the  two  batteries 
formed  on  the  right,  next  the  woods,  were  nearly  beaten 
down,  and  many  of  the  guns  dismounted,  broken,  and 
rendered  useless.  That  next  the  river  still  continued  its 
fire,  until  three  o'clock;  when,  perceiving  all  attempts  to 
effect  a  breach  ineffectual,  the  enemy  gave  up  the  contest, 
and  retired.  Every  act  of  theirs  discovers  a  strange  de- 
lusion, and  unfolds  on  what  wild  and  fanciful  grounds,  all 
their  expectations  vrere  founded.  That  the  American 
troops  were  well  posted,  and  strongly  defended  by  pieces 
of  heavy  ordnance  mounted  along  their  line,  was  a  fact 
well  known;  yet  a  belief  was  confidently  indulged,  that 
the  undisciplined  collection  which  constituted  the  strength 


216  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOX. 

of  our  army,  would  be  able  to  derive  little  benefit  from 
such  a  circumstance;  and  that  artillery  could  produce  but 
slight  advantages  in  the  hands  of  persons  who  were  stran- 
gers to  the  manner  of  using  it.  That  many  who,  from 
necessity,  were  called  to  the  direction  of  the  guns,  were 
at  first  unacquainted  with  their  management,  is  indeed 
true;  yet  the  accuracy  and  precision  with  which  they 
threw  their  shot,  afforded  a  convincing  argument,  either 
that  they  possessed  the  capacity  of  becoming,  in  a  short 
time,  well  acquainted  with  the  art  of  gunnery,  or  that  it 
was  a  science,  the  acquiring  of  which  was  not  attended 
with  incalculable  difficulty. 

That  they  would  be  able  to  effect  an  opening,  and  march 
through  the  strong  defence  in  their  front,  was  an  idea  so 
cherished  by  our  assailants,  that  an  apprehensipn  of  fai- 
lure had  scarcely  ever  occurred.  So  sanguine  were  they 
in  this  belief,  that,  early  in  the  morning,  their  soldiers 
were  arranged  along  the  ditches,  in  rear  of  their  batteries, 
prepared  and  ready  to  advance  to  the  charge,  the  moment 
a  breach  could  be  made.  Here,  protected  from  danger, 
they  remained,  waiting  the  result  that  should  call  them  to 
act.  But  their  efforts  not  having  produced  the  slightest 
impression,  nor  their  rockets  the  effect  of  driving  our  mi- 
litia away,  they  abandoned  the  contest,  and  retired,  leav- 
ing their  batteries  materially  injured — well  nigh  de- 
stroyed. 

Perceiving  their  attempts  must  fail,  and  that  such  an 
effect  could  not  be  produced,  as  would  warrant  an  ad- 
vance, another  expedient  was  resorted  to,  but  with  no  bet- 
ter success.  It  occiTrred  to  the  British  commander,  an 
attack  might  be  made  to  advantage  next  the  woods,  and 
a  force  was  accordingly  ordered  lo  penetrate  in  this  direc- 
tion, and  turn  the  left  of  our  line,  which  was  supposed  not 
to  extend  further  than  to  the  margin  of  the  swamp.  In 
this  way,  it  was  expected  a  diversion  could  be  made, 
while  the  reserve  columns,  being  in  readiness,  and  wait- 
ing, were  to  press  forward  the  moment  this  object  could 
be  effected. — Here,  too,  disappointment  resulted.  Cof- 
fee's brigade,  already  extended  into  the  swamp,  far  as  it 
was  possible  for  an  advancing  party  to  penetrate,  brought 
unexpected  dangers  into  view,  and  occasioned  an  aban- 
donment of  the  project.  That  to  turn  the  extreme  left 
of  the  line  might  be  practicable  and  be  attempted,  was  a 
subject  of  early  consideration;  and  necessary  precaution 


CHAPTER  X.  217 

had  been  taken  to  prevent  it. — Although  cutting  the  levee 
had  raised  the  waters  in  the  swamp,  and  increased  the 
difficulties  of  keeping  troops  there,  yet  a  fear  lest  this 
pass  might  be  sought  by  the  enemy,  and  the  rear  of  the 
line  thereby  gained,  had  determined  the  General  to  extend 
his  defence  even  here.  This  had  been  exitrusted  to  Gene- 
ral Coffee;  and  surely  a  more  arduous  duty  can  scarcely 
be  imagined.  To  form  a  breast-work,  in  such  a  place, 
was  attended  with  many  difficulties,  and  considerable  ex- 
posure. A  slight  defence,  however,  had  been  thrown  up, 
and  the  underwood,  for  thirty  or  forty  yards  in  front  cut 
down,  that  the  riflemen,  stationed  for  its  protection,  might 
have  a  complete  view  of  any  force,  which,  through  this 
route,  might  attempt  a  passage.  When  it  is  recollected, 
that  this  position  was  to  be  maintained  night  and  day, 
uncertain  of  the  moment  of  attack ;  and  that  the  only  op- 
portunity afforded  our  troops  for  rest,  was  on  logs  and 
brush,  thrown  together,  by  which  they  were  raised  above 
the  surrounding  water,  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  seldom 
has  it  fallen  to  the  lot  of  any  to  encounter  greater  hard- 
ships: but,  accustomed  to  privation,  and  alive  to  those 
feelings  which  a  love  of  country  inspires,  they  obeyed 
without  complaining,  and  cheerfully  kept  their  position 
until  all  danger  had  subsided.  Sensible  of  the  importance 
of  the  point  they  defended,  and  that  it  was  necessary  to  be 
maintained,  be  the  sacrifice  what  it  might,  they  looked  to 
nothing  but  a  zealous  and  faithful  discharge  of  the  trust 
confided  to  them. 

Our  loss,  in  this  affair,  was  eleven  killed,  and  tv/enty- 
three  wounded:  that  of  the  enemy  was  never  correctly 
known.  The  only  certain  information  is  contained  in  a 
communication  of  the  28th  instant  from  General  Lambert 
to  Earl  Bathurst,  in  which  the  casualties  and  losses,  from 
the  1st  to  the  5th,  are  stated  at  seventy-eight.  Many  al- 
lowances, however,  are  to  be  made  for  this  report.  It 
was  v/ritten  at  a  time,  when,  from  numerous  disasters  en- 
countered, it  was  not  to  be  presumed  the  General's  mind 
was  in  a  situation  patiently  to  remember,  or  minutely  to 
detail  facts.  From  the  great  precision  of  our  fire,  and  the 
injury  visibly  sustained  by  their  batteries,  their  loss  was, 
doubtless  considerable.  The  enemy's  heavy  shot  having 
penetrated  our  entrenchment,  in  many  places,  it  Avas  dis- 
covered not  to  be  as  strong  as  had  at  first  been  imagined. 
Fatigue  parties  were   again  employed,   and   its  strength 

T 


218  LIFE  OF   GENERAL  JACKSON. 

daily  increased:  an  additional  number  of  bales  of  cotton 
were  taken  to  be  applied  to  strengthening  and  defending 
the  embrasures  along  the  line.  A  Frenchman,  whose 
property  had  been  thus,  without  his  consent,  seized,  fear- 
tul  of  the  injury  it  might  sustain,  proceeded  in  person  to 
General  Jackson,  to  reclaim  it,  and  to  demand  its  deli- 
very. The  General  heard  his  complaint,  and  having  as- 
certained from  him  that  he  was  unemployed  in  any  mifi- 
tary  service,  directed  a  musket  to  be  brought  to  him,  and 
placing  it  in  his  hand,  ordered  him  on  the  line,  remarking 
that  as  he  seemed  to  be  a  man  possessed  of  property,  he 
knew  of  none  who  had  a  better  right  to  fight,  and  to  de- 
fend it. 

The  British  had  again  retired  to  their  encampment. 
It  was  well  understood  by  Jackson,  that  they  were  in 
daily  expectation  of  considerable  reinforcements;  though 
he  rested  with  confidence  in  the  belief,  that  a  few  more 
days  would  also  bring  to  his  assistance  the  troops  from 
Kentucky.  Each  party,  therefore,  was  busily  and  con- 
stantly engaged  in  preparation,  the  one  to  wage  a  vigorous 
attack,  the  other  bravely  to  defend,  and  resolutely  to  op- 
pose it. 

The  position  of  the  American  army  was  in  the  rear  of 
an  entrenchment  formed  of  earth,  and  which  extended  in 
a  straight  line  fi'onnf  the  river  to  a  considerable  distance 
in  the  swamp.  In  front  was  a  deep  ditch,  which  had  been 
formerly  used  as  a  mill-race.  The  Mississippi  had  re- 
ceded and  left  this  dry,  next  the  river,  though  in  many 
places  the  water  still  remained.  Along  the  line,  and  at 
unequal  distances,  to  the  centre  of  General  Carroll's  com- 
mand, were  guns  mounted,  of  different  caliber,  from  six 
to  thirty-two  pounders.  Near  the  river,  and  in  advance 
of  the  entrenchment,  was  erected  a  redoubt,  with  embra- 
sures, commanding  the  road  along  the  levee,  and  calculat- 
ed to  rake  the  ditch  in  front. 

General  Morgan  had  been  ordered,  on  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, to  cross  to  the  wTSt  bank  of  the  Mississippi. 
From  an  apprehension  entertained  that  an  attempt  might 
be  made  through  Barrataria,  and  the  city  reached  from 
the  right  bank  of  the  river,  the  General  had  extended  his 
defence  there  likewise:  in  fact,  unacquainted  with  the  ene- 
my's views, — not  knowing  the  number  of  their  troops, 
nor,  but  that  they  might  have  sufiicient  strength  to  wage 
an  attack  in  various  directions;  and  solicitous  to  be  pre- 


CHAPTER  X-  219 

pared  at  all  points,  he  had  carefully  divided  out  his  forces, 
that  he  might  guard,  and  be  able  to  protect,  in  whatever 
direction  an  assault  should  be  waged.  His  strongest  de- 
fence, next  to  the  one  occupied  by  himself,  was  on  the 
Chef  Menteur  road,  where  Governor  Claiborne,  at  the 
head  of  the  Louisiana  militia,  was  posted.  The  position 
on  the  right  was  formed  on  the  same  plan  with  the  line 
on  the  left, — lower  down  than  that  on  the  left,  and  extend- 
ing to  the  swamp  at  right  angles  to  the  river.  Here  Ge- 
neral Morgan  commanded. 

To  be  prepared  against  every  possible  contingency  that 
might  arise,  Jackson  had  established  another  line  of  de- 
fence, about  two  miles  in  the  rear  of  the  one  at  present 
occupied,  which  was  intended  as  a  rallying  point,  in  the^ 
event  he  should  be  driven  from  Jiis  first  position.  With 
the  aid  of  his  cavalry,  to  give  a  momentary  check  to  the 
advance  of  the  enemy,  he  expected  to  be  enabled,  with  in- 
considerable injury,  to  reach  it;  where  he  would  again 
have  advantages  on  his  side — be  in  a  situation  to  dispute 
a  further  passage  to  the  city,  and  arrest  their  progress. 
To  inspirit  his  own  soldiers,  and  to  exhibit  to  the  enemy 
as  great  a  show  as  possible  of  strength  and  intended  re- 
sistance, his  unarmed  troops,  which  constituted  no  very 
inconsiderable  number,  were  here  stationed.  All  inter- 
course between  the  lines,  but  by  confidential  officers,  was 
prohibited,  and  every  precaution  and  vigilance  employed, 
not  only  to  keep  this  w^ant  of  pi-eparation  concealed  from 
the  enemy,  but  even  from  being  known  on  his  own  lines. 

Occasional  firing  at  a  distance,  which  produced  no- 
thing of  consequence,  was  all  th^t  marked  the  interim  from 
the  1st  to  the  8  th. 

On  the  4th  of  this  month,  the  long-expected  reinforce- 
ment from  Kentucky,  amounting  to  twenty-tv/o  hundred 
and  fifty,  under  the  command  of  Major-general  Thomas, 
arrived  at  head-quarters;  but  so  ill  provided  with  arms, 
as  to  be  incapable  of  rendering  any  considerable  service. 
The  alacrity  with  which  the  citizens  of  this  state  had 
proceeded  to  the  frontiers,  and  aided  in  the  north-western 
campaigns,  added  to  the  disasters  which  ill-timed  policy 
or  misfortune  had  produced,  had  created  such  a  drain, 
that  arms  were  not  to  be  procured.  They  had  advanced, 
however,  to  their  point  of  destination,  with  an  expectation 
of  being  supplied  on  their  arrival.  About  five  hundred  of 
them  had  muskets;  the  rest  were  provided   with  guns, 


220  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

from  which  little  or  no  advantage  could  be  expected. 
The  mayor  of  New  Orleans,  at  the  request  of  General 
Jackson,  had  already  examined  and  drawn  from  the  city 
every  weapon  that  could  be  found ;  while  the  arrival  of 
the  Louisiana  militia,  in  an  equally  unprepared  situation, 
rendered  it  impossible  for  the  evil  to  be  remedied.  A 
boat,  laden  with  arms,  was  somewhere  on  the  river,  in- 
tended for  the  use  and  defence  of  the  lower  country ;  but 
where  it  was,  or  when  it  might  arrive,  rested  alone  on 
hope  and  conjecture.  Expresses  had  been  despatched  up 
the  river,  for  three  hundred  miles,  to  seek  and  hasten  it 
on;  still  there  were  no  tidings  of  an  approach.  That  so 
many  brave  men,  at  a  moment  of  such  anxious  peril, 
should  be  compelled  to  stand  with'  folded  arms,  unable, 
from  their  situation,  to  render  the  least  possible  service 
to  their  country,  was  an  event  greatly  to  be  deplored,  and 
did  not  fail  to  excite  the  feelings  and  sensibility  of  the 
commanding  general.  His  mind,  active,  and  prepared 
for  any  thing  but  despondency,  sought  relief  in  vain; — 
there  was  none.  No  alternative  was  presented,  but  to 
place  them  at  his  entrenchment  in  the  rear,  conceal  their 
actual  condition,  and  by  the  show  they  might  make,  add 
to  his  appearance  and  numbers,  without  at  all  increasing 
his  strength. 

Information  was  now  received  that  Major-general  Lam- 
bert had  joined  the  British  commander-in-chief,  with  a 
considerable  reinforcement.  It  had  been  heretofore  an- 
nounced in  the  American  camp,  that  additional  forces  were 
expected,  and  something  decisive  might  be  looked  for,  so 
soon  as  they  should  arrive*.  This  circumstance,  in  con- 
nexion with  others,  no  less  favouring  the  idea,  led  to  the 
conclusion  that  a  few  days  more  would,  in  all  probability, 
bring  on  a  struggle  which  would  decide  the  fate  of  the 
city.  It  was  more  than  ever  necessary  to  keep  concealed 
the  situation  of  his  army;  and,  above  all,  to  preserve  se- 
cret as  possible,  its  unarmed  condition.  To  restrict  all 
communication,  even  with  his  own  lines,  was,  as  danger 
increased,  rendered  more  important.  None  were  permit- 
ted to  leave  the  line,  and  none  from  without  to  pass  into 
his  camp,  but  such  as  were  to  be  implicitly  confided  in. 
The  line  of  sentinels  was  strengthened  in  front,  that  none 
might  pass  to  the  enemy,  should  desertion  be  attempted : 
yet,  notwithstanding  this  precaution,  his  plans  and  situa- 
tion were  disclosed.      On  the  night  of  the  6th,  a  soldier 


CHAPTER  X.  221 

from  the  line,  by  some  means,  succeeded  in  eluding  the 
vigilance  of  our  sentinels.  Early  next  morning,  his  de- 
parture was  discovered:  it  was  at  once  correctly  conjec- 
tured he  had  gone  over  to  the  enemy,  and  would,  no 
doubt,  afford  all  the  information  in  his  power  to  commu- 
nicate. This  opinion,  as  subsequent  circumstances  dis- 
closed, was  well-founded;  and  dearly  did  he  atone  his 
crime.  He  unfolded  to  the  British  the  situation  of  the 
American  line;  the  late  reinforcements  we  had  received; 
and  pointing  to  the  centre  of  General  Carroll's  division, 
as  a  place  occupied  by  militia  alone,  recommended  it  as 
the  point  where  an  attack  might  be  most  prudently  and 
safely  made. 

Other  intelligence  was  received  confirmatory  of  the  be- 
lief of  impending  attack.  From  prisoners  taken  on  the 
lake,  it  was  ascertained  the  enemy  were  busily  engaged 
in  deepening  Villery's  canal,  with  a  view  of  passing  their 
boats  and  ordnance  to  the  MississippL  During  the  7tb, 
a  constant  bustle  was  perceived  in  the  British  camp. 
Along  the  borders  of  the  canal,  soldiers  were  continually 
in  motion,  marching  and  manceuvring,  for  no  other  pur- 
pose than  to  conceal  those  who  busily  at  work  were  eiv 
gaged  in  the  rear.  To  ascertain  the  cause  of  this  uncom- 
mon stir,  and  to  learn  their  -designs,  far  as  practicable. 
Commodore  Patterson  proceeded  down  the  river,  on  the 
opposite  side,  and  having  gained  a  favourable  position,  in 
front  of  their  encampment,  discovered  them  to  be  actually 
engaged  in  deepening  the  passage  to  the  river.  It  was 
no  difficult  matter  to  divine  their  purpose.  No  other 
"conjecture  could  be  entertained,  than  that  an  assault  wa?i 
intended  to  be  made  on  the  line  of  defence  commanded  bv 
General  Morgan;  which,  if  successful,  would  expose  our 
troops  071  the  left  bank  to  the  tire  of  the  redoubt  erected 
on  the  right;  and  in  this  way  compel  an  abandonment  of 
their  position.  To  counteract  this  scheme  was  impor- 
tant; and  measures  were  inrniediately  taken  to  prevent 
the  execution  of  a  plan,  which,  if  successful,  might  be  at- 
,  tended'  with  incalculable  dangers.  An  increased  strength 
was  given  to  this  line.  The  second  regiment  of  Louisia- 
na militia,  and  four  hundred  Kentucky  troops,  were  di- 
rected to  be  crossed  over,  to  reinforce  and  protect  it. 
Owing  to  some  delay  and  difficulty  in  armmg  them,  the 
latter,  amounting,  instead  of  four  hundred,  to  but  one 
hundred  and  eighty,  did  not  arrive  until  the  morning  of 
T  3 


222  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON, 

the  8th.  A  little  before  day,  they  were  despatched  to  aid 
an  advanced  party,  which  under  the  command  of  Major 
Arnaut,  had  been  sent  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  and  to  oppose  their  landing.  The  hopes  indulged 
from  their  opposition  were  not  realized;  and  the  enemy, 
unmolested,  reached  the  shore. 

Morgan's  position,  besides  being  strengthened  by  seve- 
ral brass  twelves,  was  defended  by  a  strong  battery,  mount- 
ing twenty-four  pounders,  directed  by  Commodore  Pat- 
terson, which  afforded  additional  strength  and  security. 
The  line  itself  was  not  strong;  yet,  if  properly  maintain- 
ed by  the  troops  selected  to  defend  it,  was  believed  fully 
adequate  to  the  purposes  of  successful  resistance.  Late 
at  night,  Patterson  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  suc- 
ceeded in  passing  their  boats  through  the  canal,  and  im- 
mediately communicated  his  information  to  the  General. 
For  the  purpose  of  attack,  he  had  already  formed  the  idea 
of  dropping  the  Louisiana  schooner  down.  This  thought, 
though  well  conceived,  was  abandoned,  from  the  danger 
involved,  and  from  an  apprehension,  lest  the  batteries 
erected  on  the  river,  with  which  she  would  come  in  colli- 
sion, might,  by  the  aid  of  hot  shot,  succeed  in  blowing 
her  up.  It  was  preferred  patiently  to  await  their  arrival, 
believing  it  would  be  practicable,  with  the  bravery  of 
more  than  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  the  slender  advanta- 
ges possessed  from  tlie  line  of  defence,  to  maintain  their 
position,  and  repel  the  assailants. 

On  the  left  bank,  where  the  General  in  person  com- 
manded, every  thing  Vr  as  in  readiness  to  meet  the  assault 
when  it  should  be  made.  The  redoubt  on  the  levee  was 
defended  by  a  company  of  the  seventh  regiment,  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Ross.  The  regular  troops 
occupied  that  part  of  the  entrenchment  next  the  river. 
General  Carroll's  division  was  in  the  centre,  supported  by 
the  Kentucky  troops,  under  General  John  Adair;  while 
the  extreme  left,  extending«for  a  considerable  distance  in- 
to the  swamp,  was  protected  by  the  brigade  of  General 
Coffee.  How  soon  the  attack  should  be  waged,  was  un- 
certain; at  what  moment,  rested  with  the  enemy, — with 
us,  to  be  in  readiness  for  resistance.  There  were  many 
circumstances,  however,  favouring  the  belief,  that  the 
hour  of  contest  was  not  far  distant,  and  indeed  fast  ap- 
proaching; the  bustle  of  to-day, — the  efforts  to  carry  their 
boats  into  the  river, — the  fascines  and  scaling-ladder?,  that 


CHAPTER    X.  223 

were  preparing,  were  circumstances  pointing  to  attack, 
and  indicating  the  hour  to  be  near  at  hand.  General 
Jackson,  unmoved  by  appearances,  anxiously  desired  a 
contest,  which  he  believed  would  give  a  triumph  to  his 
arms,  and  terminate  the  hardships  of  his  suffering  sol- 
diers. Unremitting  in  exertion,  and  constantly  vigilant, 
his  precaution  kept  pace  with  the  zeal  and  preparation  ot 
the  enemy.  He  seldom  slept:  he  was  always  at  his  post, 
performing  the  duties  of  both  general  and  soldier.  His 
sentinels  were  doubled,  and  extended  as  far  as  possible  in 
the  direction  of  the  British  camp;  while  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  troops  were  constantly  at  the  line,  with  arms 
in  their  hands,  ready  to  act,  when  the  first  alarm  should 
be  given. 

For  eight  days  had  the  two  armies  Iain  upon  the  same 
field,  and  in  view  of  each  other,  without  any  thing  deci- 
sive being  on  either  side  effected.  Twice,  since  their 
landing,  had  the  British  columns  essayed  to  effect  by  storm 
the  execution  of  their  plans,  and  twice  had  failed — been 
compelled  to  relinquish  the  attempt,  and  retire  from  the 
contest.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  things  could  long 
remain  in  this  dubious  state.  Soldiers,  the  pride  of  Eng- 
land,— the  boasted,  conquerors  of  Europe,  were  there; 
distinguished  generals  were  their  leaders,  who  earnestly 
desired  to  announce  to  their  country,  and  the  world,  their 
signal  achievements.  The  high  expectations  which  had 
been  indulged  of  the  success  of  this  expedition,  were  to 
be  realized,  at  every  peril,  or  disgrace  would  follow  the 
failure. 

The  never  to  be  forgotten  8th  of  January  at  length  ar- 
rived. The  day  dawned;  and  signals,  intended  to  pro- 
duce concert  in  the  enemy's  movements,  were  descried. 
On  the  left,  near  the  swamp,  a^  sky-rocket  was  perceived 
rising  in  the  air;  and  presently  another  ascended  from 
the  right,  next  the  river.  They  were  intended  to  an- 
nounce that  all  was  prepared  and  ready,  to  proceed  and 
carry  by  storm  a  defence  which  had  twice  foiled  their  ut- 
most efforts.  Instantly  the  charge  was  made,  and  with 
such  rapidity,  that  our  soldiers,  at  the  out  posts,  with  dif- 
ficulty fled  in. 

The  British  batteries,  which  had  been  demolished  on 
the  1st  of  the  month,  had  been  re-established  during  the 
preceding  night,  and  heavy  pieces  of  cannon  mounted,  to 
aid  in  their  intended  operations.     These  nov/  opened,  and 


224  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOV. 

showers  of  bombs  and  balls  were  poured  upon  our  line ; 
while  the  air  was  lighted  with  their  congreve  rockets. 
The  two  divisions,  commanded  by  Sir  Edward  Packen- 
ham  in  person,  and  supported  by  Generals  Keane  and 
Gibbs,  pressed  forward;  the  right  against  the  centre  of 
General  Carroll's  command, — the  left  against  our  redoubt 
on  the  levee.  A  thick  fog,  that  obscured  the  morning, 
enabled  them  to  approach  within  a  short  distance  of  our 
entrenchment,  before  they  were  discovered.  They  were 
now  perceived  advancing,  with  firm,  quick,  and  steady 
pace,  in  column,  with  a  front  of  sixty  or  seventy  deep. 
Our  troops,  who  had  for  some  time  been  in  readiness, 
and  waiting  their  appearance,  gave  three  cheers,  and  in- 
stantly the  whole  line  was  lighted  with  the  blaze  of  their 
fire.  A  burst  of  artillery  and  small  arms,  pouring  with 
destructive  aim,  mowed  down  the  front,  and  arrested 
their  advance.  In  our  musketry  there  was  not  a  mo- 
ment's intermission;  .as  one  party  discharged  their  pieces, 
another  succeeded :  alternately  loading  and  appearing,  no 
pause  could  be  perceived, — it  was  one  continued  volley. 
The  columns  already  perceived  their  dangerous  and  ex- 
posed situation.  Battery  No.  7,  ably  served  by  Lieuten- 
ant Spotts,  galled  them  with  incessant  and  a  destructive 
fire.  Nos.  6  and  8  were  no  less  actively  employed,  and 
no  less  successful  in  felling  them  to  the  ground.  Not- 
withstanding the  severity  of  our  fire,  which  few  troops 
could  for  a  moment  have  withstood,  some  of  those  brave 
men  pressed  on,  and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  ditch,  in 
front  of  our  works,  where  they  remained  during  the  ac- 
tion, and  were  afterwards  made  prisoners.  The  horror 
before  them  was  too  great  to  be  withstood;  and  already 
were  the  British  troops  seen  wavering  in  their  determina- 
tion, and  receding  from  the  conflict.  At  this  moment. 
Sir  Edward  Packenham,  hastening  to  the  front,  endea- 
voured to  encourage  and  inspire  them  with  renewed  zeai. 
His  example  was  of  short  continuance:  he  fell,  mortally 
wounded,  in  the  arms  of  his  aid-de-camp,  not  far  from 
our  line.  Generals  Gibbs  and  Keane  also  fell,  and  were 
borne  from  the  field,  dangerously  wounded.  At  that  mo- 
ment, General  Lambert,  who  with  the  reserve  was  ad- 
vancing at  a  small  distance  in  the  rear,  met  the  columns 
precipitately  retreating,  and  in  great  confusion.  His  ef- 
forts to  stop  them  were  unavailing, — they  continued  re- 
treating, until   they  reached  a  ditch,  at  the  distance  of 


CHAPTER   X.  225 

four  hundred  yards,  where  safety  being  found,  they  were 
rallied,  and  halted. 

The  field,  over  which  they  had  advanced,  was  strewed 
with  the  dead  and  dying.  Danger  hovered  still  around; 
yet,  urged  and  encouraged  by  their  officers,  they  again 
moved  to  the  charge.  They  were  already  near  enough 
to  deploy,  and  were  endeavouring  to  do  so;  but  the  same 
constant  and  unremitted  resistance  that  caused  their  first 
retreat,  continued  yet  unabated.  Our  batteries  had  never 
ceased  their  fire;  a  constant  discharge  of  grape  and  can- 
ister, and  the  fatal  aim  of  our  musketry,  mowed  down  the 
front  of  the  columns  as  fast  as  they  could  be  formed.  Sa- 
tisfied nothing  could  be  done,  and  that  certain  destruction 
awaited  all  further  attempts,  they  forsook  the  contest  and 
the  field  in  disorder,  leaving  it  covered  with  the  dead  and 
wounded.  It  was  in  vain  their  officers  endeavoured  to 
animate  them  to  further  resistance,  and  equally  vain  to 
attempt  coercion.  The  panic  produced  from  the  dread- 
ful repulse  they  had  experienced ;  the  plain,  on  which  they 
acted,  being  covered  with  innumerable  bodies  of  their 
countrymen;  while,  with  their  most  zealous  exertions, 
they  had  been  unable  to  obtain  the  slightest  advantage, 
were  circumstances  calculated  to  make  even  the  most  sub- 
missive soldier  oppose  the  authority  that  would  have 
controled  him. 

The  light  companies  of  fusileers;  the  forty-third  and 
ninety-third  regiments,  and  one  hundred  men  from  the 
West  India  regiment,  led  on  by  Colonel  Rennie,  were  or- 
dered to  proceed  under  cover  of  some  chimneys,  standing 
in'  the  field,  until  having  cleared  them,  to  oblique  to  the 
river,  and  advance,  protected  by  the  levee,  against  our 
redoubt.  This  work,  having  been  but  lately  commenced, 
was  in  an  unfinished  state.  The  detachment  ordered 
against  this  place,  formed  the  left  of  General  Kean's  com- 
mand. Rennie  executed  his  orders  with  great  bravery; 
and,  urging  forward,  arrived  at  the  ditch.  His  advance 
%vas  greatly  annoyed  by  Commodore  Patterson's  battery 
on  the  right  bank,  and  the  cannon  mounted  on  the  redoubt; 
but  reaching  our  works,  and  passing  the  ditch,  Rennie, 
sword  in  hand,  leaped  on  the  wall,  and  calling  to  his 
troops,  bade  them  follow;  he  had  scarcely  spoken,  when 
he  fell  by  the  fatal  aim  of  our  riflemen.  Pressed  by  the 
impetuosity  of  superior  numbers,  who  were  mounting  the 
wall,  and  entering  at  the  embrasures,  our  troops  retired 


226  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

to  the  line,  in  rear  of  the  redoubt.  A  momentary  pause 
ensued,  but  only  to  be  interrupted  with  increased  horrors. 
Captain  Beal,  with  the  city  riflemen,  cool  and  self-possess- 
ed, perceiving  the  enemy  in  his  front,  opened  upon  them, 
and  at  ev^ry  discharge  brought  the  object  to  the  ground. 
To  advance,  or  maintain  the  point  gained,  was  equally 
impracticable  for  the  enemy:  to  retreat  or  surrender  was 
the  only  alternative;  for  they  already  perceived  the  divi- 
sion on  the  right  thrown  into  confusion,  and  hastily  leav- 
ing the  field. 

General  Jackson  being  informed  of  the  success  of  the 
enemy  on  the  right,  and  of  their  being  in  possession  of 
the  redoubt,  pressed  forward  a  reinforcement  to  regain  it. 
Previously  to  its  arrival  they  had  abandoned  the  attempt, 
and  were  retiring.  They  were  severely  galled  by  such 
of  our  guns  as  could  be  brought  to  bear.  By  Commo- 
dore Patterson's  battery,  on  the  right  bank,  they  suffered 
greatly.  Enfiladed  by  this,  on  their  advance,  they  had 
been  greatly  annoyed,  and  now,  in  their  retreat,  were  no 
less  severely  assailed.  Numbers  found  a  grave  in "  the 
ditch,  before  our  line;  and  of  those  who  gained  the  re- 
doubt, not  one,  it  is  believed,  escaped ;— they  were  shot 
down  as  fast  as  they  entered.  The  route,  along  which 
they  had  advanced  and  retired,  was  strewed  with  bodies. 
Affrighted  at  the  carnage,  they  moved  from  the  scene 
hastily  and  in  confusion.  Our  batteries  were  still  continu- 
ing the  slaughter,  and  cutting  them  down  at  every  step: 
safety  seemed  oftly  to  be  attainable  when  they  should  re- 
tire without  the  range  of  our  shot;  which,  to  troops  gall- 
ed severely  as  they  were,  was  too  remote  a  relief.  Press- 
ed by  this  consideration,  they  fled  to  the  ditch,  whither 
the  right  division  had  retreated,  and  there  remained  until 
night  permitted  them  to  retire. 

Here  was  a  period,  the  most  auspicious  that  had  ap- 
peared during  the  war,  to  have  gained  a  complete  triumph 
to  our  arms.  What  important  events,  in  a  nation's  his- 
tory, are  often  the  result  of  slight  occurrences!  and  how 
often  are  they  prevented  by  causes  no  less  inconsiderable! 
This  truth  is  apparent  in  the  fate  of  this  grand  expedition, 
which  had  been  fitted  out  to  humble  our  national  pride; 
and  which  would  have  been  captured  or  destroyed  but  for 
the  ill-timed  policy  of  the  government,  or  its  agents,  who 
prevented  the  arrival  of  the  arms  destined  for  this  place, 
because  an  inconsiderable  sum  was  thereby  saved  to  the 


CHAPTER  X.  227 

nation.  A  considerable  portion  of  our  troops  were  inac- 
tive and  useless  for  the  want  of  arms.  If  this  had  not 
been  the  case — had  they  been  in  a  situation  to  act  effi- 
ciently, the  whole  British  army  must  have  submitted. 
But,  situated  as  Jackson  was,  pursuit  would  have  been 
rashness;  though,  with  the  additional  force  which  a  suf- 
ficiency of  arms  would  have  placed  at  his  command,  much 
might  have  been  effected  against  an  enemy  whose  ranks 
were  thinned  by  the  unparalleled  slaughter  of  the  day; 
and  who,  panic-struck,  and  fleeing  from  the  danger  before 
them,  were  incompetent  to  resistance,  and  already  believ- 
ed themselves  conquered:  but  prudence,  under  existing 
circumstances,  opposed  the  idea  of  pursuit,  and  suggest- 
ed to  the  commanding  general,  that  although  he  had 
thus  signally  achieved  even  more  than  he  had  expected, 
yet  with  the  kind  of  troops  it  had  been  effected,  inferior 
in  number  and  discipline,  to  attempt,  even  under  present 
advantages,  a  contest  on  the  plain,  was  hazarding  too 
greatly,  and  too  much. 

Colonel  Hinds  in  person,  applied  to  the  commanding 
general  for  leave  to  pursue,  at  the  head  of  his  dragoons, 
the  fleeing  and.  broken  columns  of  the  enemy:  Jackson 
would  not  permit  it.  "  My  reason  for  refusing,"  he  re- 
marked, "  was,  that  it  might  become  necessary  to  sus- 
tain him,  and  thus  a  contest  in  the  open  field  be  brought 
on:  the  lives  of  my  men  were  of  value  to  their  country, 
and  much  too  dear  to  their  families,  to  be  hazarded  vvhere 
necessity  did  not  require  it;  but  above  all,  from  the  nu- 
merous dead  and  wounded  stretched  out  on  the  field  be- 
fore me,  I  felt  a  confidence  that  the  safety  of  the  city  was 
most  probably  attained,  and  hence,  that  nothing  calculat- 
ed to  reverse  the  good  fortune  we  had  met  should  b6  at- 
tempted." 

His  reasoning  on  this  subject  was  certainly  correct, 
and  such  as  feeling  and  policy  sanctioned.  If  an  attack 
had  been  urged,  and  the  effort  crowned  with  success, 
enough  having  been  done,  the  splendour  of  the  late  trans- 
action could  be  but  partially  increased,  and  little  addition- 
al lustre  reflected  on  the  American  character:  if,  how- 
ever, unsuccessful,  the  object  of  the  expedition  was  then 
secured  to  the  enemy;  and  all  that  had,  for  so  many  days, 
and  under  such  weighty  privations,  been  contended  for, 
would,  at  the  instant,  have  been  sacrificed  and  lost.  In 
addition  to  this,  his  soldiers  were  most  of  them  owners  of 


228  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  soil,  who  had  families  anxiously  concerned  for  their 
safety,  and  whose  happiness  depended  upon  their  return; 
such  men  would  have  proven  a  loss  to  the  community, 
too  great  to  warrant  their  being  risked  for  the  mere  gra- 
tification of  pride;  in  opposition,  too,  to  those  whose 
trade  was  war;  and  who,  wholly  abstracted  from  every 
thing  like  principle,  contended  in  battle  without  knowing 
why,  or  for  what  they  fought  The  lives  of  his  soldiers 
were  too  valuable  to  their  families  and  the  community,  to 
be  risked  upon  a  venture  not  warranted  by  necessity,  nor 
required  by  the  interest  and  honour  of  the  country.  He 
preferred,  therefore,  to  adopt  what  seemed  the  safer  course; 
to  continue  his  position,  which  assured  protection  to  the 
city,  and  the  inhabitants,  rather  than  by  endeavouring  to 
obtain  more,  to  endanger  the  loss  of  every  thing. 

The  efforts  of  the  enemy  to  carry  our  line  of  defence  or. 
the  left,  were  seconded  by  an  attack  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  with  eight  hundred  chosen  troops,  under  th? 
command  of  Colonel  Thornton.  Owing  to  the  difficulty 
of  passing  the  boats  from  the  canal  to  the  river,  and  the 
strong  current  of  the  Mississippi,  the  troops  destined  for 
this  service  were  not  crossed,  nor  the  opposite  shore 
reached  for  some  hours  after  the  expected  moment  of  attack. 
By  the  time  he  had  effected  a  landing,  the  day  had  dawned, 
and  the  flashes  of  the  guns  announced  the  battle  begun. 
Supported  by  three  gun-boats,  he  hastened  forward,  with 
his  command,  in  the  direction  of  Morgan's  entrenchment- 
Some  time  during  the  night  of  the  7th,  two  hundred 
Louisiana  militia  had  been  sent  off,  to  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  and  oppose  him  in  his  landing:  this 
detachment,  under  the  command  of  Major  Arnaud,  had 
advanced  a  mile  down  the  river  and  halted ;  either  suppos- 
ing the  General  incorrect,  in  apprehending  an  attack,  or 
that  his  men,  if  refreshed,  would  be  more  competent  to 
exertion,  he  directed  them  to  lie  down  and  sleep:  one 
man  only  was  ordered  to  be  upon  tlie  watch,  lest  the  ene- 
my should  approach  undiscovered.  Just  at  day,  he  called 
upon  his  sleeping  companions,  and  bade  them  rise  and 
be  ready,  for  he  had  heard  a  considerable  bustle,  a  little 
below.  No  sooner  risen,  than  confirmed  in  the  truth*f 
what  had  been  stated,  they  moved  off  in  the  direction 
they  had  come,  without  even  attempting  an  execution  of 
their  orders.  The  Kentucky  troops,  having  reached  Mor- 
gan's line  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  were  immediate- 


CHAPTER  X.  229 

ly  sent  to  co-operate  with  the  Louisianians.  Major  Da- 
vis, who  commanded,  had  proceeded  about  three  quarters 
of  a  mile,  and  met  those  troops  hastily  retreating  up  the 
road;  he  ascertained  from  them  that  the  enemy  had  made 
the  shore;  had  debarked,  and  were  moving  rapidly  up 
the  levee.  He  informed  them  for  what  purpose  he  had 
been  despatched, — to  oppose  an  approach  as  long  as  prac- 
ticable, and  with  their  assistance,  he  would  endeavour  to 
execute  his  orders. 

The  two  detachments  acting  together,  formed  behind  a 
saw-mill-race,  skirted  with  a  quantity  of  plank  and  scant- 
ling, which  afforded  a' tolerable  shelter.  Davis,  with  his 
detachment  of  Kentuckians,  formed  on  the  road  next  the 
river,  supported  by  the  Louisiana  militia  on  the  right. 
The  enemy  appearing,  their  approach  was  resisted,  and  a 
warm  and  spirited  opposition  for  some  time  maintained: 
a  momentary  check  was  given.  The  British  again  ad- 
vanced, and  again  received  a  heavy  fire.  At  this  moment, 
General  Morgan's  aid-de-camp,  who  was  present,  perceiv- 
ing the  steady  advance  of  the  enemy,  and  fearing  for  the 
safety  of  the  troops,  ordered  a  retreat.  Confusion  was 
the  consequence — order  could  not  be  maintained,  and  the 
whole  fled,  in  haste,  to  Morgan's  line.  Arriving  in  safe- 
ty, though  much  exhausted,  they  were  immediately  di- 
rected to  form,  and  extend  themselves  to  the  swamp;  that 
the  right  of  the  entrenchment  might  not  be  turned. 

Colonel  Thornton  having  reached  an  orange  grove, 
about  seven  hundred  yards  distant,  halted;  and  examin- 
ing Morgan's  line,  found  it  to  "  consist  of  a  formidable 
redoubt  on  the  river,"  with  its  weakest  and  most  vulnera- 
ble point  towards  the  swamp.  He  directly  advanced  to 
the  attack,  in  two  divisions,  against  the  extreme  right 
and  centre  of  the  line;  and,  having  deployed,  charged  the 
entrenchment,  defended  by  about  fifteen  hundred  men. 
A  severe  discharge,  from  the  field  pieces  mounted  along 
our  works,  caused  the  right  division  to  oblique,  which, 
uniting  with  the  left,  pressed  forward  to  the  point  occu- 
pied by  the  Kentucky  troops.  Perceiving  themselves 
thus  exposed,  and  having  not  yet  recovered  from  the  emo- 
tions produced  by  the  first  retreat,  they  began  to  give 
way,  and  very  soon  entirely  abandoned  their  position. 
The  Louisiana  militia  gave  a  few  fires  and  followed  the 
example.  Through  the  exertions  of  the  officers,  a  mo- 
mentary halt  was  effected;  but  a  burst  of  congreve  rockets 
u 


230  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

falling  thickly  and  setting  fire  to  the  sugarcane,  and  other 
combustibles  around,  again  excited  their  fears,  and  they 
moved  hastily  away;  nor  could  they  be  rallied,  until  at  the 
distance  of  two  miles,  having  reached  a  saw-mill-race, 
they  were  formed,  and  placed  in  an  attitude  of  defence. 

Commodore  Patterson,  perceiving  the  right  flank  about 
to  be  turned,  had  ceased  his  destructive  fire  against  the 
retreating  columns  on  the  opposite  shore,  and  turned  his 
guns  to  enfilade  the  enemy  next  the  swamp;  but,  at  the 
moment  when  he  expected  to  witness  a  firm  resistance, 
and  was  in  a  situation  to  co-operate,  he  beheld  those,  with- 
out whose  aid  all  his  efforts  were  unavailing,  suddenly 
thrown  into  confusion,  and  forsaking  their  posts.  Disco- 
vering he  could  no  longer  maintain  his  ground,  he  spiked 
his  guns,  destroyed  his  ammunition,  and  retired  from  a 
post  where  he  had  rendered  the  most  important  services. 

In  the  panic  that  produced  this  disorderly  retreat,  at  a 
moment  when  manly  resistance  was  expected,  are  to  be 
found  circuiT^stances  of  justification,  which  might  have 
occasioned  similar  conduct  even  in  disciplined  troops. 
The  weakest  part  of  the  line,  and  which  was  protected 
but  by  a  slight  ditch,  was  assailed  by  the  greatest  strength 
of  the  enemy ;  this  was  defended  by  one  hundred  and  eighty 
Kentuckians,  who  were  stretched  out  to  an  extent  of  three 
hundred  yards,  and  unsupported  by  any  pieces  of  artillery. 
Thus  openly  exposed  to  the  attack  of  a  greatly  superior 
force,  and  weakened  by  the  extent  of  ground  they  cover- 
ed, it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  or  deserving  of  reproach, 
that  they  should  have  considered  resistance  ineffectual, 
and  forsaken  a  post,  which  they  had  strong  reasons  for 
believing  they  could  not  maintain.  General  Morgan  re- 
ported to  General  Jackson  the  misfortune  and  defeat  he 
had  met,  and  attributed  it  to  the  flight  of  those  troops,  who 
had  also  drawn  along  with  them  the  rest  of  his  forces. 
It  is  true,  they  were  the  first  to  flee;  and  equally  true, 
that  their  example  may  have  had  the  effect  of  producing 
general  alarm;  but  in  point  of  advantageous  situation,  the 
troops  materially  differed:  the  one,  as  we  have  shown, 
were  exposed,  and  enfeebled  by  the  manner  of  their  ar- 
rangement; the  other,  though  considerably  superior  in 
numbers,  covered  no  greater  extent  of  ground,  and  were 
defended  by  an  excellent  breast-work,  and  several  pieces 
of  cannon:  with  this  difference,  the  loss  of  confidence  of 
the  former  was  not  without  sufficient  cause.     Of  these 


CHAPTER  X.  231 

facts,  Commodore  Patterson  was  not  apprized — General 
Morgan  was:  both,  however,  attributed  the  disaster  to 
the  flight  of  the  Kentucky  militia.  Upon  their  informa- 
tion, General  Jackson  founded  his  report  to  the  secretary 
of  war,  by  which  those  troops  were  exposed  to  censures 
they  did  not  merit.  Had  all  the  circumstances,  as  they 
existed,  been  disclosed,  reproach  would  have  been  pre- 
vented. At  the  mill-race,  no  troops  could  have  behaved 
better:  they  were  well  posted,  and  bravely  resisted  the 
advance  of  the  enemy,  nor,  until  an  order  to  that  effect 
was  given,  had  entertained  a  thought  of  retreating. 

The  heart-felt  joy  at  the  glorious  victory  achieved  on 
one  side  of  the  river,  was  clouded  by  the  disaster  witness- 
ed on  the  other.  A  position  was  gained  which  secured  to 
the  enemy  advantages  the  most  important;  and  whence 
our  whole  line,  on  the  left  bank,  could  be  severely  annoy- 
ed. But  for  the  precaution  of  Commodore  Patterson,  in 
spiking  his  guns,  and  destroying  the  ammunition,  it  would 
have  been  in  the  power  of  Colonel  Thornton  to  have  com- 
pletely enfiladed  our  line  of  defence,  and  rendered  it  un- 
tenable. Fearful  lest  the  guns  might  be  unspiked,  and 
brought  to  operate  against  him,  General  Jackson  hasten- 
ed to  throw  detachments  across,  with  orders  to  regain  the 
position  at  every  hazard.  To  the  troops  on  the  right 
bank,  he  forwarded  an  address,  with  a  view  to  excite 
them  to  deeds  of  valour,  and  inspirit  them  to  exertions 
that  should  wipe  off  the  reproach  they  had  drawn  upon 
themselves.*  Previously,  however,  to  their  being  in  rea- 
diness to  act,  he  succeeded  through  management  in  re- 
obtaining  his  lost  position,  and  thus  spared  the  effusion 
of  blood  which  would  have  been  necessary  to  its  accom- 
plishment. 

The  loss  of  the  British,  in  the  attack,  on  the  left  bank, 
has  been,  at  different  times,  variously  stated.  The  kill- 
ed, wounded,  and  prisoners,  ascertained,  on  the  next  day 
after  the  battle,  by  Colonel  Hayne,  the  inspector-general, 
places  it  at  twenty-six  hundred.  General  Lambert's  re- 
port to  Lord  Bathurst  makes  it  but  two  thousand  and  se- 
venty. From  prisoners,  however,  and  information  and 
circumstances  derived  through  other  sources,  it  must 
have  been  even  greater  than  is  stated  by  either.  Among 
them   was  the  Commander-in-chief,   and    Major-General 

< 
*  See  note  D. 


232  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

Gibbs,  who  died  of  his  wounds  the  next  day,  besides 
many  of  their  most  valuable  and  distinguished  officers; 
while  the  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
was  but  thirteen.* 

It  appears  to  have  been  made  a  question  by  the  British 
officers,  if  it  would  not  be  more  advisable  to  carry  Gene- 
ral Morgan's  line,  and  refrain  from  any  attempt  on  this 
side  the  river.  It  was  believed,  that  if  successful  in  the 
attack,  they  would  be  able  to  force  General  Jackson  from 
his  entrenchment,  and  pass  with  the  main  body  of  the 
army,  in  safety,  to  the  city.  A  letter  found  in  the  pos- 
session of  Captain  Wilkinson,  a  British  officer,  who  fell 
in  the  battle,  to  a  friend  at  home,  in  the  war  department, 
speaking  on  this  subject,  shows  that  a  difference  of  opinion 
prevailed,  and  confesses  his  own  as  being  decidedly  in  fa- 
vour of  a  vigorous  attack  on  both  sides.  It  bears  date 
late  on  the  night  of  the  7th,  nor  does  it  appear,  although 
he  was  a  captain  and  brigade-major,  that  he,  at  that  time, 
knew  whether  an  assault  was  seriously  intended  against 
Jackson's  line,  or  was  designed  as  a  feint,  to  aid  the  ope- 
rations of  Colonel  Thornton.  With  the  true  spirit  of  a 
British  officer,  however,  he  indulged  in  entire  confidence 
a  hope  of  success,— entertained  no  fears  for  the  result, 
nor  doubted  but  that  the  Americans  would  at  once  retire 
before  their  superior  skill  and  bravery.  A  general  order, 
which  must  have  been  communicated  after  he  had  writ- 
ten, disclosing  the  manner  of  attack,  on  the  left,  where  he 
acted,  was  also  found  with  the  letter.  In  that  the  fusi- 
leers  and  light  troops  were  instructed,  after  reaching  our 
line,  to  act  as  a  pursuing  squadron,  and  keep  up  alarm, 
while  the  army  on  the  right  should  press  closely  in  the 
rear  and  support  them.  It  breathes  an  assurance  of  suc- 
cess, and  shows  with  what  anxiety  they  looked  to  the  ap- 
proaching morn,  as  likely  to  bring  with  it  a  successful  ter- 
mination of  their  labours,  and  a  triumph  over  a  foe,  whose 

*  Our  effective  force,  at  the  line,  on  the  left  bank,  was  three  thou- 
sand seven  hundred;  that  of  the  enemy  at  least  nine  thousand.  The 
force  landed  in  Louisiana  has  been  variously  reported:  the  best  infor- 
mation places  it  at  about  fourteen  thousand.  A  part  of  this  acted 
with  Colonel  Thornton;  the  climate  had  rendered  many  unfit  for  the 
duties  of  the  field;  while  a  considerable  number  had  been  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  different  contests  since  their  arrival.  Their  strength, 
therefore,  may  be  fairly  estimated,  on  the  8th,  at  the  number  we  have 
stated;  at  any  rate,  not  less. 


CHAPTER  X.  233 

advantages,  more  than  bravery,  they  supposed,  had  so  long 
baffled  their  utmost  efforts. 

That  it  was  considered,  however,  an  imdertaking  of 
greater  magnitude  and  hazard  than  they  were  disposed 
openly  to  admit,  is  obvious,  from  one  circumstance.  The 
officer  who  leads  his  troops  on  a  forlorn  attempt,  not  un- 
frequently  places  before  them  allurements  stronger  than 
either  authority  or  duty.  On  the  present  occasion,  this 
resort  was  not  omitted;  and  inducements  were  held  out, 
than  which  nothing  more  inviting  could  be  offered  to  an 
infuriated  soldiery.*  Let  it  be  remembered  of  that  gal- 
lant but  misguided  general,  who  has  been  so  much  de- 
plored by  the  British  nation,  that,  to  the  cupidity  of  his 
soldiers,  he  promised  the  wealth  of  the  city,  as  a  recom- 
pense for  their  gallantry  and  desperation;  while,  with  bru- 
tal licentiousness,  they  were  to  revel  in  lawless  indulgence, 
and  triumph,  uncontrolled,  over  female  innocence.  Scenes 
like  these,  our  nation,  dishonoured  and  insulted,  had  al- 
ready witnessed;  she  had  witnessed  them  at  Hampton  and 
Havre-de-Grace :  but  it  was  reserved  for  her  yet  to  learn 
that  an  officer  of  the  character  and  standing  of  Sir  Ed- 
ward Packenham,  polished,  generous,  and  brave,  should, 
to  induce  his  soldiers  to  acts  of  daring  valour,  permit 
them,  as  a  reward,  to  insult,  injure,  and  debase  those  whom 
all  mankind,  even  savages,  reverence  and  respect.  The 
history  of  Europe,  since  civilized  warfare  began,  is  chal- 
lenged to  afford  an  instance  of  such  gross  depravity, — 
,Buch  wanton  outrage  oa  the  morals  and  dignity  of  society. 
English  writers  may  deny  the  correctness  of  the  charge; 
it  certainly  interests  them  to  do  so:  but  its  authenticity  is 
too  well  established  to  admit  of  doubt,  while  its  criminali- 
ty is  increased,  from  being  the  act  of  a  people  who  hold 
themselves  up  to  surrounding  nations  as  examples  of  every 
thing  that  is  correct  and  proper.  The  facts  and  circum- 
stances which  were  presented  at  the  time  of  this  transac- 
tion left  no  doubt  on  the  minds  of  our  officers,  but  that 
**  Beauty  and  Booty"  was  the  watchword  of  the  day.  The 
information  was  obtained  from  prisoners,  and  confirmed 
by  the  books  of  two  of  iheir  orderly-sergeants  taken  in 
battle,  which  contained  record  proof  of  the  fact. 

The  events  of  this  day  afford  abundant  evidence  of  the 
liberality  of  the  American  soldiers,  and  show  a  striking 

•  "  Booty  and  Beauty y**  was  the  watch-word  of  Sir  Eklward  Pack- 
enham's  army,  in  the  battle  of  the  8th. 
u  2 


234  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

difference  in  the  troops  of  the  two  nations.  While  one 
were  allured  to  acts  of  bravery  and  duty,  by  the  promised 
pillage  and  plunder  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  commis- 
sion of  crimes  abhorrent  in  the  sight  of  earth  and  heaven, 
the  other  fought  but  for  his  country,  and,  having  repelled 
her  assailants,  instantly  forgot  all  enmity,  viewed  his  fallen 
foe  as  a  brother,  and  hastened  to  assist  him,  even  at  the 
hazard  of  his  own  life.  The  gallantry  of  the  British  sol- 
diers, and  no  people  could  have  displayed  greater,  had 
brought  many  of  them  even  to  our  ramparts,  where,  shot 
down  by  our  troops,  they  were  lying  badly  wounded. 
When  the  firing  had  ceased,  and  the  columns  retired,  our 
troops,  with  generous  benevolence,  advanced  over  the  line, 
to  assist  and  bring  in  the  wounded,  which  lay  under  and 
near  the  walls ;  when,  strange  to  tell,  the  enemy,  from  the 
ditch  they  occupied,  opened  a  fire  upon  them,  awd,  though 
at  a  considerable  distance,  succeeded  in  wounding  several. 
It  was  enough  for  our  generous  soldiers,  that  they  were 
doing  an  act  which  the  benevolence  of  their  hearts  ap- 
proved, and,  with  charitable  perseverance,  they  continued^ 
to  administer  to  the  wants  of  these  suffering  men,  and  to 
carry  them  within  their  lines,  although,  in  their  efforts, 
they  were  continually  exposed  to  danger.  Let  the  apolo- 
gist for  crime  say,  wherefore  were  acts  thus  unpardonable 
committed  against  men,  who  were  administering  to  the 
wants  and  relieving  the  sufferings  of  the  dying  country- 
men of  those  who  thus  repaid  the  most  laudable  humanity 
with  wanton  and  useless  cruelty.    - 

A  communication,  shortly  after,  from  Major-general 
Lambert,  on  whom,  in  consequence  of  the  fall  of  Generals 
Packenham,  Gibbs,  and  Keane,  the  command  had  devolv- 
ed, acknowledges  to  have  witnessed  the  kindness  of  our 
troops  to  his  wounded.  He  solicited  of  General  Jackson 
permission  to  send  an  unarmed  party  to  bury  the  dead, 
lying  before  his  lines,  and  to  bring  off  such  of  the  wounded 
as  were  dangerous.  Though,  in  all  probability,  it  was  un- 
known to  General  Lambert  what  had  been  the  conduct  of 
his  troops  on  this  occasion,  and  unquestionably  not  au- 
thorized by  him,  yet  Jackson,  in  answer  to  his  despatch, 
did  not  omit  to  bring  it  to  his  view,  and  to  express  his  ut- 
ter abhorrence  of  the  act.  The  request  to  bury  the  dead 
was  granted.  General  Jackson,  though,  refused  to  per- 
mit a  near  approach  to  his  line,  but  consented  that  the 
wounded  who  were  at  a  greater  distance  than  three  hun- 


CHAPTER  X.  2S5 

dred  yards  from  the  entrenchment  should  be  relieved,  and 
the  dead  buried :  those  nearer  were,  by  his  own  men,  to  be 
delivered  over,  to  be  interred  by  their  countrymen.  This 
precaution  was  taken,  that  the  enemy  might  not  have  an 
opportunity  to  inspect,  or  know  any  thing  of  his  situation. 
General  Lambert,  desirous  of  administering  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  wounded,  and  that  he  might  be  relieved  from 
his  apprehensions  of  attack,  proposed,  about  noon,  that 
hostilities  should  cease  until  the  same  hour  the  next  day. 
General  Jackson,  cherishing  the  hope  of  being  able  to  se- 
cure an  important  advantage,  by  his  apparent  willingness 
to  accede  to  the  proposal,  drew  up  an  armistice,  and  for- 
warded it  to  General  Lambert,  with  directions  for  it  to  be 
immediately  returned,  if  approved.  It  contained  a  stipu- 
lation to  this  effect — that  hostilities,  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
river,  should  be  discontinued  from  its  ratification,  but  on 
the  right  bank  they  should  not  cease;  and,  in  the  interim, 
that  under  no  circumstances  were  reinforcements  to  be 
sent  across,  by  either  party.  This  was  a  bold  stroke  at 
stratagem;  and,  although  it  succeeded,  even  to  the  extent 
desired,  was  yet  attended  with  considerable  hazard.  Re- 
inforcements had  been  ordered  over  to  retake  the  position 
lost  by  Morgan  in  the  morning,  and  the  General  presumed 
they  had  arrived  at  their  point  of  destination,  but,  at  this 
time,  they  had  not  passed  the  river,  nor  could  it  be  ex- 
pected to  be  retaken  with  the  same  troops  who  had  yielded 
it  the  day  before,  when  possessed  of  advantages  which 
gave  them  a  decided  superiority:  this  the  commanding 
general  well  knew;  yet,  to  spare  the  sacrifice  of  his  men, 
which,  in  regaining  it,  he  foresaw  must  be  considerable, 
he  was  disposed  to  venture  upon  a  course  to  excite  alarm, 
and  which,  he  felt  assured,  could  not  fail  of  success.  It 
was  impossible  his  object  could  be  discovered;  while  he 
confidently  believed  the  British  commander  would  infer, 
from  the  prompt  and  ready  manner  in  which  his  proposal 
had  been  met,  that  such  additional  troops  were  already 
thrown  over,  as  would  be  fully  adequate  to  the  purposes 
of  attack,  and  greatly  to  endanger,  if  not  wholly  to  cut  off. 
Colonel  Thornton's  retreat.  General  Lambert's  construc- 
tion was  such  as  had  been  anticipated.  Although  the  ar- 
mistice contained  a  request  that  it  should  be  immediately 
signed  and  returned,  it  was  neglected  to  be  acted  upon 
until  the  next  day;  and  Thornton  and  his  command  were, 
in  the  interim,  under  cover  of  the  night,  re-crossed,  and 


236  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  ground  he  occupied  left  to  be  peaceably  possessed  by 
the  original  holders.  The  opportunity  thus  afforded  of 
regaining  a  position  on  which,  in  a  great  degree,  depend- 
ed the  safety  of  those  on  the  opposite  shore,  was  accepted 
with  an  avidity  its  importance  merited,  and  immediate 
measures  taken  to  increase  its  strength,  and  prepare  it 
against  any  future  attack  that  might  be  made.  This  de- 
lay of  the  British  commander  was  evidently  designed,  that, 
pending  the  negotiation,  and  before  it  was  concluded,  an 
opportunity  might  be  had  of  removing  Colonel  Thornton 
and  his  troops  from  a  situation  apparently  extremely  peri- 
lous. Early  the  next  morning.  General  Lambert,  returned 
his  acceptance  of  what  had  been  proposed,  with  an  apo- 
logy for  having  failed  to  reply  sooner:  he  excused  the 
-omission,  by  pleading  a  press  of  business,  which  had  occa- 
sioned the  communication  to  be  overlooked  and  neglected. 
Jackson  was  at  no  loss  to  attribute  the  delay  to  the  correct 
motive:  the  apology,  however,  was  as  perfectly  satisfac- 
tory to  him  as  any  thing  that  could  have  been  offered;  be- 
yond the  object  intended  to  be  effected,  he  felt  unconcern- 
ed, and  having  secured  this,  rested  perfectly  satisfied.  It 
cannot,  however,  appear  otherwise  than  extraordinary, 
that  this  neglect  should  have  been  ascribed  by  the  British 
general  to  accident,  or  a  press  of  business,  when  it  must 
have  been  of  greater  importance,  at  that  moment,  than 
any  thing  which  he  could  possibly  have  had  before  hinv. 

The  armistice  was  this  morning,  (9th  of  January)  con- 
cluded, and  agreed  to  until  two  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
The  dead  and  wounded  were  now  removed  from  the  field, 
which  for  three  hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  line  of  de- 
fence, they  almost  literally  covered.  For  the  reason 
already  suggested,  our  soldiers,  within  the  line  of  demar- 
kation  between  the  two  camps,  delivered  over  to  the  Bri- 
tish, who  were  not  permitted  to  cross  it,  the  dead  for 
burial,  and  the  wounded  on  parole,  for  which  it  was  sti- 
pulated, an  equal  number  of  American  prisoners  should 
be  restored. 

It  has  seldom  happened  that  officers  were  more  de- 
ceived in  expectation  than  were  the  British  in  the  result  of 
this  battle,  or  atoned  more  severely  their  error:  their  rea- 
soning had  never  led  them  to  conclude  that  militia  would 
maintain  their  ground  when  warmly  assailed:  no  other 
belief  was  entertained,  than  that  alarmed  at  the  appear- 
ance and  orderly  firm  approach  of  veteran  troops,  they 


CHAPTER    X.  237 

would  at  once  forsake  the  contest,  and  in  flight  seek  for 
safety.  At  what  part  of  our  line  they  were  stationed, 
was  ascertained  by  information  derived  through  a  deser- 
ter, on  the  6th;  and  influenced  by  a  belief  of  their  want 
of  nerve,  and  deficiency  in  bravery,  at  this  point  the  main 
assault  was  urged.  They  were  indeed  militia;  but  the 
enemy  could  have  assailed  no  part  of  our  entrenchment 
where  they  would  have  met  a  warmer  reception,  or  where 
they  would  have  found  greater  strength:  it  was  indeed  the 
best  defended  part  of  the  line.  The  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee troops,  under  Generals  Carroll,  Thomas  and  Adair, 
were  here,  who  had  already,  on  former  occasions,  won  a 
reputation  too  dear*to  be  sacrificed.  These  divisions,  al-* 
ternately  charging  their  pieces,  and  mounting  the  plat- 
form^, poured  forth  a  constant  fire,  that  was  impossible  to 
be  withstood,  repelled  the  advancing  columns,  and  drove 
them  from  the  field,  with  prodigious  slaughter. 

There  is  one  fact  told,  to  which  general  credit  seems 
attached,  and  which  clearly  shows  the  opinion  had  by  the 
British  of  our  militia,  and  the  little  fear  which  was  enter- 
tained of  any  determined  opposition  from  them.  When 
repulsed  from  our  line,  the  British  officers  were  fully  per- 
suaded that  the  information  given  them  by  the  deserter,  on 
the  night  of  the  6th,  was  false,  and  that  instead  of  point- 
ing out  the  ground  defended  by  the  militia,  he  had  refer- 
red them  to  the  place  occupied  by  our  best  troops ;  he  was 
a  Spaniard.  Enraged  at  what  they  believed  an  intentional 
deception,  they  called  their  informant  before  them,  to  ac- 
count for  the  mischief  he  had  done.  It  was  in  vain  he 
urged  his  innocence,  and,  with  the  most  solemn  protesta- 
tions, declared  he  had  stated  the  fact  truly  as  it  was. 
They  could  not  be  convinced, — it  was  impossible  that  they 
had  contended  against  any  but  the  best  disciplined  troops; 
and,  without  further  ceremony,  the  poor  fellow,  suspend- 
ed, in  view  of  the  camp,  expiated,  on  a  tree,  not  his 
crime,  for  what  he  had  stated  was  indeed  true,  but  their 
error,  in  underrating  an  enemy  who  had  already  afforded 
abundant  evidences  of  valour.  In  all  their  future  trials 
with  our  countrymen,  may  they  be  no  less  deceived,  and 
discover  in  our  yeomanry  a  determination  to  sustain  with 
firmness,  a  government  which  knows  nothing  of  oppres- 
sion; but  which,  on  an  enlarged  and  liberal  scale,  aims  to 
secure  the  independence  and  happiness  of  man.  If  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  unfettered  almost  as  the  air 


'238  LIFE  OF  OENEILVL  JACKSOX, 

they  breathe,  shall  at  any  time  omit  to  maintain  their  pri- 
vileges, their  constitutional  rights '  and  free  government, 
then  indeed  will  it  be  idle  longer  to  speak  of  the  capacity 
of  man  to  govern  himself:  the  dream  of  liberty  must  fade 
away  and  perish  for  ever,  no  more  to  be  thought  of,  or  re- 
membered; for  under  auspices  promising  better  success, 
the  attempt  of  self-government  can  never  again  be  made. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

Bombardment  of  Fort  St.  Philip. — British  army  retire  to  their  ship- 
ping.— General  Jackson,  with  his  troops,  returns  to  New  Orleans. 
— Day  of  thanks^ving. — Reduction  of  Fort  Bowyer. — Legislature 
of  Louisiana  recommence  their  session. — Discontents  fomented 
among  the  American  troops. — Ai'rest  of  LouailHer, — of  Judge  Hall. 
—  Peace  annoimced.  —  General  Jackson  is  prosecuted  for  contempt 
of  court — his  appearance  in  court. — Speech  at  the  Coffee-House.^^ 
His  own  opinion  of  martial  law. — Troops  are  discharged,  and  the 
General  returns  to  Nashville. — His  person  and  character. — Conclu- 
sion. 


The  conflict  had  ended,  and  each  army  occupied  its 
former  position.  In  appearance  the  enemy  were  visibly 
altered:  menace  was  sunk  into  dejection,  and  offensive 
measures  yielded  for  those  which  promised  safety.  Their 
bold  attitude  so  long  preserved,  was  now  lain  aside;  and 
they  were  perceived  to  be  erecting  partial  defences,  to 
guard  against  expected  attack.  It  had  been  already  an- 
nounced, upon  good  authority^  that  a  considerable  force 
had  succeeded  in  passing  the  Balize — made  prisoners  of 
a  detachment  there,  and  was  proceeding  up  the  Mississip- 
pi, to  co-operate  with  the  land  forces.  It  was  intended 
to  aid  in  the  battle  of  the  8th,  but  failing  to  arrive,  the 
attack  had  been  made  without  it.  Whether  the  enemy, 
chagrined  and  mortified  at  the  failure  of  an  effort,  into 
which  the  idea  of  disappointment  had  never  entered,  might 
not  again  renew  the  attack,  on  the  arrival  of  this  force, 
was  a  probable  event,  and  every  preparation  was  in  pro- 
gress to  be  again  in  readiness  to  repel  it. 

Of  this  formidable  advance,  no  certain  intelligence  was 
received  until  the  night  of  the  llth,  when  a  heavy  canno- 


CHAPTER  XI.  239 

nading,  supposed  to  be  on  Fort  St.  Philip,  was  distinctly 
heard.  The  advantages  in  defence,  which  the  precaution 
and  vigilance  of  the  General  had  early  extended  to  this 
passage,  added  to  an  entire  confidence  in  the  skill  and 
bravery  of  the  officer  to  whom  it  had  been  confided,  led 
him  to  believe  there  was  nothing  to  be  apprehended;  and 
that  every  thing  which  duty  and  bravery  could  effect, 
would  be  done.  The  enemy's  squadron,  consisting  of  two 
bomb  vessels,  a  brig,  sloop,  and  schooner,  were  -discover- 
ed by  the  videttes,  from  Fort  Bourbon,  on  the  morning 
of  the  9th,  directing  their  course  up  the  river;  signals 
were  made, — information  communicated,  and  every  thing 
was  in  readiness  to  receive  them.  About  ten  o'clock, 
having  approached  within  striking  distance,  an  assault 
was  commenced  on  the  fort,  and  an  immense  quantity  of 
bombs  and  balls  were  discharged  against  it.  A  severe  and 
well-directed  fire  from  our  water  battery  soon  compelled 
them  to  abandon  the  attack,  and  retire  about  two  miles. 
At  this  distance,  the  enemy  was  possessed  of  decided  ad- 
vantages,— having  it  in  their  power  to  reach  the  fort,  with 
the  shot  from  their  large  mortars,  while  they  were  en- 
tirely without  the  range  of  ours.  •  The  assault  continued, 
without  much  intermission,  from  the  9th  until  the  night 
of  the  17th.  They  had  hitherto  lain  beyond  the  effective 
range  of  our  shot,  and  although  from  their  large  mortars 
the  fort  had  been  reached,  and  pierced  in  innumerable 
places,  still,  such  an  effect  had  not  been  produced,  as  to 
justify  a  belief,  that  they  could  now,  more  than  at  the  mo- 
ment of  their  arrival,  venture  to  pass. 

Major  Overton,  who  commanded  at  this  place,  his 
officers,  and  soldiers,  distinguished  themselves  by  their 
activity  and  vigilance.  To  arrest  the  enemy's  passage, 
and  prevent  them  from  uniting  with  the  forces  below  the 
city,  was  of  great  importance;  and  to  succeed  in  this  was 
as  much  as  could  be  expected.  So  long,  therefore,  as 
they  kept  at  a  distance,  nor  attempted  a  final  accomplish- 
ment of  their  object,  no  other  concern  was  felt  than  to 
watch  their  manoeuvres,  and  adopt  such  a  course  as  should 
afford  security  to  the  troops  in  the  garrison.  During  the 
period  of  the  bombardment,  which  lasted  with  little  inter- 
mission for  nine  days,  sleep  was  almost  a  stranger  in  the 
fort.  The  night  was  the  time  when  most  of  all  it  was 
feared  that  the  enemy,  aided  by  the  darkness,  and  assisted 
by  some  fortunate  breeze,  would  have  it  in  their  power  to 


240  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

ascend  the  river,  in  despite  of  every  opposition :  the  con- 
stant activity  which  was  necessary,  prevented  all  oppor- 
tunities for  repose.  On  a  tempestuous  night,  the  wind 
setting  fair,  an  attempt  was  made  to  pass:  to  divert  the 
attention  of  the  fort,  and  favour  the  chances  for  ascent, 
their  boats  were  sent  forward  to  commence  an  attack.  In 
this,  however,  they  were  disappointed,  and  compelled  to 
abandon  the  undertaking.  At  length,  after  many  fruitless 
etforts,  ^jid  an  immense  waste  of  labour  and  ammunition, 
on  the  morning  of  the  18th  they  retired  without  effecting 
their  purpose,  or  producing,  to  us,  a  greater  injury  than 
the  loss  of  nine  of  the  garrison,  who  were  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  failure  of  this  squadron  to  ascend  the  river,  per- 
haps, determined  General  Lambert  in  the  course  which 
he  adopted.  His  situation  before  our  line  was  truly  an 
unpleasant  one.  Our  batteries,  after  the  8th,  were  con- 
tinually throwing  balls  and  bombs  into  his  camp;  and 
wherever  a  party  of  troops  appeared,  they  were  greatly 
annoyed.  Thus  harassed, — perceiving  that  all  assistance 
through  this  channel  had  failed,  and  being  constantly  in 
apprehension  lest  an  attack  should  be  made  upon  him,  he 
resolved  on  availing  himself  of  the  first  favourable  oppor- 
tunity for  departing,  and  to  forsake  a  contest  where  every 
effort  had  met  disappointment,  and  where  an  immense 
number  of  his  troops  had  found  their  graves.  The  more 
certainly  to  effect  a  retreat  in  safety,  detachments  had 
been  sent  out  to  remove  every  obstruction  that  could  re- 
tard their  progress  through  the  swamp;  while,  to  give 
greater  facility  to  his  departure,  strong  redoubts  were 
erected  on  the  way,  and  bridges  thrown  across  every  creek 
and  bayou  that  obstructed  the  passage.  Every  thing  be- 
ing thus  prepared,  on  the  night  of  the  18th,  General  Lam- 
bert silently  decamped,  and,  proceeding  towards  the  lake, 
embarked  for  his  shipping,  leaving,  and  recommending 
to  the  clemency  and  hospitality  of  the  American  general, 
eighty  of  his  soldiers,  who  were  too  severely  wounded  to 
be  removed.  With  such  silence  and  caution  was  this 
decampment  managed,  that  not  the  slightest  intelligence 
was  communicated,  even  to  our  sentinels  occupying  the 
out  posts.  Early  the  next  morning,  the  enemy's  camp 
was  perceived  to  be  evacuated;  but  what  had  become  of 
them,  and  whither  they  had  gone,  could  only  be  conjec- 
tured: no  information  on  the  subject  was  possessed.     To 


CHAPTER  XI.  241 

ascertain  the  cause  of  this  new  and  sudden  appearance 
of  things,  detachments  weVe  in  readiness  to  proceed  and 
reconnoitre  their  camp,  when  Surgeon  Wadsdale,  of  the 
Btaff,  arrived  at  our  line,  with  a  letter  to  General  Jackson, 
from  the  British  commander,  announcing  his  determina- 
tion to  suspend,  "  for  the  present,  all  further  operations 
against  N-ew  Orleans,"  and  requesting  his  humanity  to- 
wards the  wounded  he  had  left,  and  whom  necessity  had 
compelled  him  to  abandon. 

Detachments  were  now  sent  out  to  ascertain  the  cause 
of  this  unexpected  state  of  things;  with  orders  to  harass 
their  rear,  if  a  retreat  were  really  intended.  But  the  pre- 
caution taken  by  the  enemy,  and  the  ground  oyer  which 
they  were  retreating^  prevented  pursuit  in  sufficient  num- 
bers to  secure  any  valuable  result.  The  system  of  opera- 
tions which  Jackson  had  prescribed  for  himself,  was  such 
he  believed  as  policy  sanctioned,  nor  to  be  abandoned  but 
for  advantages  evidently  certain,  and  which  admitted  not 
of  question.  To  pursue  on  a  route  protected  and  defend- 
ed by  canals,  redoubts,  and  entrenchments,  would,  at  least, 
have  been  adventuring  upon  an  uncertain  issue,  where 
success  was  problematical,  and  where  injury  and  loss 
might  result. 

Thus,  at  last,  in  total  disappointment,  terminated  an 
invasion  from  which  much  had  been  expected.  Twenty- 
six  days  ago,  flushed  v/ith  the  hope  of  certain  victory, 
had  this  army  erected  its  standard  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mississippi.  At  that  moment,  they  would  have  treated 
with  contempt  an  assertion,  that  in  ten  days  they  would 
not  enter  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  How  changed  the 
portrait,  from  the  reality!  But  a  few  days  since,  and  they 
were  confident  of  a  triumph,  and  a  successful  termination 
of  their  labours;  now,  vanquished,  beaten,  and  cut  to 
pieces,  at  midnight,  under  cover  of  its  darkness,  they  are 
found  silently  abandoiiing  their  camp,-^breaking  to  pieces 
their  artillery, — fleeing  from  an  enemy,  wlio,  but  a  little 
while  before,  they  had  held  in  utter  contempt,  and  sub- 
mitting their  wounded  to  his  clemency.  A  demonstration 
is  given,  which,  short  of  absolute  proof,  a  Briton  would 
have  been  among  the  last  to  have  admitted,  that  fourteen 
thousand  troops,  who,  oftentimes,  against  the  sternest  op- 
position, had  signalized  themselves  in  battle,  and  marched 
to  victory,  could,  under  any  circumstances,  be  beaten, 
and  one-third  of  them  destroyed,  by  an  inferior  number 


242  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

of 'men,  who  scarcely  knew  how  to  form  in  column,  of 
deploy  into  line:  yet  did  they  know  that  which  was  of  in- 
finitely more  service  in  nerving  with  strength  the  soldier's 
arm,  and  dispelling  every  thing  of  fear, — that  they  were 
contending  for  their  rights,  against  a  power  which  was 
causelessly  seeking  their  destruction, — for  privilege 
against  usurpation, — for  liberty,  in  opposition  to  oppres- 
sion:— that  they  were  fighting  for  a  country  they  loved, 
and  for  enjoyments,  which,  once  lost,  could  never  be  re- 
gained. Prompted  by  these  considerations,  they  had  en- 
tered the  field,  and  under  their  influence  had  acted.  For 
their  toils  and  privations,  they  were  amply  remunerated; 
they  had  met  their  own  and  country's  expectations — had 
saved  a  city  from  destruction — its  inhabitants  from  cruelty 
and  dishonour,  and  were  carrj^ing  with  them  the  lofty 
consolation  which  the  recollection  of  a  faithful  discharge 
of  duty  never  fails  to  inspire. 

There  was  no  certainty  that  the  contest  was  finally  end- 
ed. The  enemy  had  indeed  retired,  and,  *'  for  the  pre- 
sent, relinquished  all  further  operations  against  New  Or- 
leans:" but  of  what  continuance  their  forbearance  would 
be,  whether  they  might  not  avail  themselves  of  the  first 
flattering  opportunity,  to  renew  the  struggle,  and  wipe  off 
the  stain  of  a  defeat  so  wholly  unexpected,  could  not  be 
doubted.  The  hopfes  and  expectations  indulged,  in  Eng- 
land, of  the  success  of  this  expedition,  had  inspirited  the 
whole  army;  and  failui-e  had  never  been  anticipated* 
They  had  now  retired;  yet,  from  their  convenient  situa- 
tion, and  having  command  of  the  surrounding  waters,  it 
'.vas  in  their  power,  at  a  short  notice,  to  re-appear,  at  the 
same,  or  some  more  favourable  point— rcause  a  repetition 
of  the  hardships  already  encountered,  and,  perhaps,  suc- 
ceed in  the  accomplishment  of  their  views.  These  con- 
siderations led  General  Jackson  to  conclude,  that,  although, 
for  the  present,  there  v.as  an  abandonment  of  the  enter- 
prise, still  it  behoved  him  not  to  relax  in  his  system  of 
defence;  but  be  in  constant  readiness  to  maintain  the  ad- 
vantages he  had  gained;  and  not  to  risk  a  loss  of  the 
country  by  a  careless  indifference,  growing  out  of  the 
belief  that  danger  had  subsided.  To  prevent  such  a  re- 
sult, vigilance  and  caution  were  essentially  necessary. 

With  entire  control  of  the  lakes  and  gulf,  it  could  not 
be  known  at  what  point  the  enemy  might  venture  on  a  se- 
cond attack.      General  Jackson  determined  now,  to  with- 


CHAPTER  XI.  243 

draw  his  troops  from  the  position  they  had  so  long  occu* 
pied,  and  place  them  about  the  city,  whence,  to  repel  any 
further  attempt  that  should  be  made,  they  might  be  ad- 
vanced wherever  it  should  become  necessary.  The  se- 
venth regiment  of  infantry  remained  to  protect  the  point 
he  was  leaving;  while,  further  in  advance,  on  Villery's 
canal,  where  a  landing  had  first  been  effected,  were  posted* 
a  detachment  of  Kentucky  and  Louisiana  militia.  To 
secure  this  point  more  effectually,  orders  were  given,  on 
the  22d,  to  throw  up  a  strong  fortification,  at  the  junction 
of  Manzant  and  Bayou  Bienvenu;  which  order  was  again 
attempted  to  be  executed  on  the  25th.  On  both  occasions, 
failure  was  the  result,  the  enemy  having,  on  their  retreat^' 
left  a  strong  guard  at  this  place,  which,  from  its  situation," 
defied  approach  by  a  force  competent  to  its  reduction. 
Their  occupying  this  position  was  looked  to  as  a  circum- 
stance which  afforded  strong  evidence  that  further  hosti- 
lities were  not  wholly  abandoned.  To  counteract,  how- 
ever, any  advantages  which  might  thence  be  derived, 
different  points,  along*  the  swamp,  and  in  the  direction  of 
Terre  au  Boeuf,  were  occupied,  and  strong  works  erected, 
to  prevent  their  again  reaching  in  this  direction  the  shores 
of  the  Mississippi. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  calculated,  if  not  to' 
prevent,  at  least  to  give  intelligence  of  an  approach  in 
time  to  be  resisted,  on  the  20th  of  January,  General  Jack- 
Bon,  with  his  remaining  forces,  commenced  his  march  to 
New  Orleans.  The  general  glow  excited,  at  beholding 
his  entrance  into  the  city,  at  the  head  of  a  long  suffering 
and  victorious  army,  was  manifested  by  all  those  feelings 
which  patriotism  and  sympathy  inspire.  The  windows 
and  streets  were  crowded,  to  view  the  man,  who,  by  vigi- 
lance, decision,  and  energy,  had  preserved  the  country 
from  the  fate  to  which  it  had  been  devoted.  It  was  a 
scene  well  calculated  to  excite  the  tenderest  emotions. 
But  a  few  weeks  since,  and  every  bosom  throbbed  for  de- 
liverance and  safety.  Fathers,  sons,  and  husbands,  urged 
by  the  necessity  of  the  times,  were  toiling  in  defence  of 
their  wives  and  children.  A  ferocious  soldiery,  nume- 
rous, and  skilled  in  the  art  of  war,  and  to  whom  every  in- 
dulgence had  been  promised,  were  straining  exertion  to 
effect  their  object.  Every  cannon  that  echoed  from  the 
line  was,  perhaps,  the  signal  of  approach,  and  the  com- 
mencement of  indescribable  horrors.     But  those  feelings 


244  LIFE  OP  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

had  subsided:  the  painful  anticipations  which  had  lasted 
so  long,  were  gone.  The  tender  female,  relieved  from 
the  anguish  of  danger  and  suspense,  no  longer  trembled 
for  her  safety  and  her  honour:  a  new  order  of  things  had 
arisen:  joy  sparkled  in  every  countenance;  while  scarcely 
a  widow  or  an  orphan  was  seen,  to  cloud  the  general  trans- 
port. The  commanding  general,  under  whose  banner 
every  thing  had  been  achieved,  deliberate,  cool,  and  spar- 
ing of  the  lives  of  the  brave  defenders  of  their  country, 
had  dispelled  the  storm  which  had  so  long  threatened  to 
involve  the  ruin  of  thousands;  and  was  now  restoring, 
safe  and  unhurt,  those  who  had  with  him  maintained  the 
contest.  His  approach  was  hailed  with  acclamations:  it 
was  not  the  kind  of  applause,  which,  resulting  from  fear, 
is  oftentimes  extended  by  the  subject,  to  some  conqueror 
or  tyrant  returning  in  triumph,  but  that  which  was  ex- 
tended by  citizens  to  a  citizen  soldier,  springing  from  af- 
fection, and  founded  in  an  honest  sincerity  of  heart  All 
greeted  his  return,  and  hailed  him  as  their  deliverer. 

But,  amidst  the  warm  expression  of  their  thanks,  and . 
the  honours  and  congratulations  heaped  upon  him,  he  was 
not  unmindful,  that  to  an  energy  superior  to  his  own,  and 
a  wisdom  which  controls  the  destiny  of  nations,  was  he 
indebted  for  the  gloHous  triumph  of  our  arms.  Respited 
from  the  arduous  duties  of  the  field,  his  first  concern  was 
to  draw  the  minds  of  all  in  thankfulness  and  adoration  to 
that  sovereign  mercy,  without  whose  aid,  and  inspiring 
counsel,  vain  would  be  all  earthly  efforts.  The  23d  hav- 
ing been  appointed  a  day  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving  for 
the  happy  deliverance  effected  by  our  arms,  Jackson  re- 
paired to  the  cathedral.  The  churcji  and  altar  were  splen- 
didly decorated,  and  more  than  could  obtain  admission 
had  crowded  to  witness  the  ceremony.  A  grateful  recol- 
lection of  his  exertions  to  save  the  country,  was  cherished 
by  all;  nor  did  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion,  even  here, 
restrain  a  manifestation  of  their  regard,  or  induce  them 
to  withhold  the  honour  he  had  so  nobly  earned.  Chil- 
dren, robed  in  white,  and  representing  the  different  states, 
were  employed  in  strewing  the  way  with  flowers;  while, 
as  he  passed,  a  flattering  ode  produced  for  the  occasion 
saluted  his  ears. — 

Hail  to  the  chief !  who  hied  at  war's  alarm*. 
To  save  our  threaten'd  land  from  hostile  arms; 


CHAPTER   XI.  245 

Preserv'd,  protected  by  his  gallant  care, 
Be  his  the  grateful  tribute  of  each  fair: 
With  joyful  tiiumph  swell  the  chorul  lay — 
Strew,  strew  with  flow'rs  the  hero's  welcome  way. 
Jackson,  all  hail!   our  country's  pride  and  boast, — 
Wliose  mind's  a  council,  and  his  arm  a  host; 
Welcome,  blest  chief !  accept  our  grateful  lays. 
Unbidden  homage,  and  spontaneous  praise; 
Remembrance,  long,  shall  keep  alive  thy  fume. 
And  future  infants  leai-n  to  lisp  thy  name. 

When  the  General  reached  the  church,  Dubour^,  the 
reverend  administrator  of  the  diocese,  met  him  at  the 
door.  Addressing  him  in  a  strain  of  pious  eloquence,  he 
entreated  him  to  remember,  that  his  splendid  achieve- 
ments, which  were  echoed  from  every  tongue,  were  to  be 
ascribed  to  Him  to  whom  all  praise  was  due.  **  Let  the 
votary  of  blind  chance,"  continued  he,  "deride  our  cre- 
dulous simplicity.  Let  the  cold-hearted  atheist  look  for  an 
explanation  of  important  events,  to  the  mere  concatenation 
of  human  causes;  to  us,  the  whole  world  is  loud  in  pro- 
claiming a  Supreme  Ruler,  who,  as  he  holds  the  destiny  of 
man  in  his  hands,  holds  also  the  thread  of  all  contingent 
occurrences;  from  his  lofty  throne,  he  moves  every  scene 
below, — infuses  his  wisdom  into  the  rulers  of  nations,  and 
executes  his  uncontrollable  judgments  on  the  sons  of  men, 
according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  unerring  justice." 
He  concluded  his  impressive  address,  by  presenting  the 
General  with  a  wreath  of  laurel,  woven  for  the  occasion, 
and  which  he  desired  him  to  accept  as  *'  a  prize  of  vic- 
tory." 

General  Jackson  accepted  the  pledge,  presented  as  a 
mark  of  distinguished  favour  by  the  reverend  prelate,  and 
returned  him  a  reply  no  less  impressive  than  the  address 
he  had  received.  He  was  now  conducted  in,  and  seated 
near  the  altar,  vv'hen  the  organ  and  church  ceremonies' 
were  commenced,  and  inspired  every  mind  with  a  solemn 
reverence  for  the  occasion  *  These  being  ended,  he  re- 
tired to  his  quarters,  to  renew  a  system  of  defence,  which 
would  ensure  entire  safety,  and  ward  off  any  future  danger 
that  might  arise.  The  right  bank  of  the  Mississippi  was 
now  strengthened  by  additional  reinforcements,  and  a 
strong  position  taken  on  La  Fourche,  to  prevent  any  pas- 
sage in  that  direction.     Suitable  arrangements  for  secu- 

•  See  note  E. 
X  2 


246  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

rity  having  been  already  made  below  the  city,  Generals 
Coffee  andCarroll  were  instructed  to  resume  their  former 
encampment,  four  miles  above,  where  they  had  been  sta- 
tioned previously  to  the  landing  of  the  enemy.  The  rest 
of  the  troops  were  arranged  at  different  points,  where  ne- 
cessity seemed  most,  to  require  it,  and  where  they  might 
be  convenient,  and  concentrated  for  action,  on  the  first 
appearance  of  danger. 

Previously  to  General  Lambert's  departure,  articles  of 
agreement  had  been  entered  into  by  the  commanders  of 
the  two  armies,  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners;  in  pursu- 
ance of  which,  sixty-three  Americans,  taken  on  the  night 
of  the  23d,  from  the  left  \ying  of  General  Coffee's  bri- 
gade, had  been  delivered  up:  the  remainder,  principally 
those  who  had  been  taken  at  the  capture  of  our  gun  boats, 
were  shortly  afterwards  surrendered  by  Admiral  Cochrane, 
and  an  equal  number  of  British  prisoners,  inipur  posses- 
sion, sent  off  to  be  delivered  at  the  Balize.    ;  . 

The  enemy  had  now.  withdrawn  from  the  shore  the 
troops  which  had  been  landed,  and  occupied  their  former 
position  at  Cat  and  Ship  Island. ,  Moriified  at  their  unex- 
pected disaster,  they  were  projecting  a  plan,  by  which  it 
was  expected  a  partial  advantage  might,  perhaps,  be  se- 
cured, and  the  stigma  of  defeat  somewhat  obliterated. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  the  British  shipping  appeared 
off  Dauphin  Island,  fronting  the  point  on  whjch  stood  Fort 
Boyer,  garrisoned  with  three  hundred  and  sixty  men^i 
Having  made  the  necessary  arrangements,  on  the  8th  an 
attack  was  commenced,  both  from  the  land  and  water. 
The  fleet  was  formed  in  two  divisions;  and  approached 
within  one  and  two  miles,  bearing  south  and  south-west. 
But  the  principal  attack,  and  that  whic^  compelled  a  sur- 
render, was  from  the  shor<e,  where  Colonel  Nicholls  .and 
Woodbine  carried  on  their  operations  in  September;  Five 
thousand  troops,  aided  by  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance,  and 
secured  from  the  fire  of  our  guns  by  large  embankments, 
urged  the  assault.  Under  cover  of  the  two  succeeding 
nights,  redoubts  had  been  thrown  up,  and  trenches  cut 
through  the  sand,  which  enabled  them  to  approach  gra- 
dually, and  without  being  exposed  to  the  fire  of  our  guns. 
Twice,  on  the  8th,  were  detachments  sent  out  to  effect  by 
storm  the  accomplishment  of  their  purpose;  but  the  fire 
from  the  fort  compelled  an  abandonment  of  their  course. 
Aid  drove  them  to  the  necessity  of  approaching  by  trench- 


^       CHAPTER    XI.  247 

es,  protected  by  strong  redoubts.  To  demolish  these  from 
the  fort  was  impracticable ;  and  to  attempt  to  prevent  their 
erection,  by  any  sortie,  with  so  weak  a  force,  would  have 
been  rash  and  imprudent.  Thus  situated,  and  every  thing 
being  ready  to  attack  and  carry  the  fort,  if  opposition 
were  still  intended,  about  ten  o'clock  on  the  Uth  the  ene- 
my hoisted  a  flag:  Major  Lawrence  raised  another.  Hos- 
tilities ceased,  and  General  Lambert  required  a  surrender. 
The  ofiicers  being  convoked,  with  one  consent  agreed  that 
further  resistance  would  be  ineffectual,  and  could  only  lead 
to  the  unnecessary  loss  of  many  valuable  lives.  A  capitu- 
lation was  agreed  on,  and  the  fort  forthwith  yielded  to  the 
enemy. 

Previous  to  this  attack,  an  alarming  and  threatening 
disturbance  appeared  amongst  the  troops  at  Fort  Jackson, 
and  which,  on  the  22d  JanfUary,  resulted  in  six  of  them  be- 
ing found  guilty  and  sentenced  to  execution  at  Mobile,  on  a 
charge  of  mutiny  and  desertion.  On  the  24th  of  May, 
1814,  Governor  Blount,  acting  under  instructions  from 
the  Secretary  of  War,  required  one  thousand  men,  for  a 
tour  of  six  iTionths^  to  be  drawn  from  the  division  of  Gene- 
ral Jackson,  who  at  that  time  was  a  militia  general  in  the 
service  of  the  state;  not  the  United  States.  Acting  upon 
the  order,  the  requisition  was  made,  and  on  the  20th  of  the 
succeeding  month  (June)  the  required  quota  was  rende-^ 
vouzed,  and  marched  to  garrison  the  different  forts  in  the 
Creek  Country,  bordering  on  Mobile.  Between  the  18th 
and  20th  of  September,  before  half  the  period  for  which 
they  were  mustered  had  expired,  and  for  which  by  the 
government  they  subsequently  were  paid,  a  portion  of  this 
regiment  becoming  weary  of  the  service,  an  alarming 
mutiny  arose,  which  resulted  in  the  desertion  of  two  hun- 
dred. They  claimed  to  be  entitled  to  a  discharge,  for  the 
reason,  that  the  term  was  but  for  three  months.  Prepa- 
ratory to  a  departure,  and  to  strengthen  themselves  in 
their  mutinous  design,  a  paper  was  circulated  to  obtain 
the  signatures  of  those  who  should  be  willing  to  act  in 
concert,  and  depart  together.  To  obtain  supplies  for  the 
return  march,  the  bake  house  in  which  was  deposited  the 
contractor's  stores,  was  broken  open  and  demolished. 
The  cattle,  procured  with  great  difficulty  and  expense  for 
the  subsistence  of  the  troops,  were  taken  and  killed.  Suf- 
ficient supplies  for  their  return  being  thus  obtained,  and 
the  authority  of  officers  in  command  placed  at  open  defi- 


248  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON, 

• 

ance,  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  September,  in  a  tu- 
multuous manner,  about  two  hundred  abandoned  their 
post  and  their  duty,  and  set  out  for  home.  Early  as  news 
of  this  act  of  insubordination  reached  head  quarters,  a  pro- 
clamation was  issued  commanding  an  arrest  of  the  muti- 
neers: some  were  taken  and  forcibly  brought  back;  others 
voluntarily  returned.  For  their  trial  a  court  martial  was 
organized;  and  which,  with  one  exception,  was  composed 
exclusively  of  officers  from  their  own  regiment,  and  who 
of  course  could  not  be  presumed  to  entertain  any  feelings 
of  unkindness  or  prejudice. 

The  court,  consisting  of  five  regular  and  two  supernu- 
merary members,  proceeded  to  an  examination  and  trial 
of  these  offenders,  and  sentenced  six  of  them  to  be  shot: 
the  rest  were  condemned  to  a  humiliating,  though  less  se- 
vere punishment;  part  of  theil^  pay  was  to  be  stopped— 
their  lost  time  to  be  made  up  by  further  service;  their 
heads  to  be  shaved;  and  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  to 
be  drummed  out  of  camp.  Because  of  age  and  inexperi- 
ence, some  were  recommended  to  the  clemency  of  the 
General,  and  accordingly  were  pardoned.  The  residue  of 
these  offenders  never  received  any  other  punishment  than 
having  their  term  of  service  enlarged,  correspondent  to 
the  loss  occasioned  by  the  desertion.  Pay  during  the 
period  of  the  desertion  was  afterwards  withheld  by  the 
government,  who  thereby  recognized,  and  adopted  the 
proceedings  of  the  court.  In  behalf  of  those  condemned  to 
death,  nothing  of  request  or  negotiation  being  presented 
from  the  court,  they  were  left  to  their  fate,  without  an  exei'- 
cise  on  the  part  of  the  General,  of  his  respiting  or  par- 
doning power.  The  session  of  this  court  was  at  Mobile, 
nearly  two  hundred  miles  from  New  Orleans,  where  Gene- 
ral Jackson,  from  the  1st  of  December,  had  been  actively 
and  busily  engaged.  Of  the  merits  of  the  cases,  and  the 
extent  of  the  imputed  guilt,  he  could  know  nothing,  un- 
less as  presented  by  the  court,  where  rested  both  the  fact 
and.,  the  law.  To  the  recommendation  of  the  court  the 
General  assented  at  once,  and  gave  pardon  and  forgiveness 
to  those  thus  presented  to  his  consideration  and  clemency. 

The  course  pursued  towards  these  offenders  was  impe- 
riously demanded  by  justice.  The  British  army,  to  be 
sure,  had  on  the  19th  abandoned  the  siege  of  New  Or- 
leans, but  they  were  yet  a  strong  and  powerful  foe,  and 
entirely  in  command  of  the  water.     When  and  where  an 


CHAPTER  XI.  249 

effort  might  be  made  to  strike  a  further  blow  could  not  be 
known;  all  the  information  possessed  upon  this  subject, 
was  a  communication  from  General  Lambert  to  the  com- 
inanding  general  of   the  American  army,  made  at  leaving 
his  position  before  New  Orleans,  that  he  had  determined 
**  to  suspend  for  the  present  all  further  operations."     For 
General  Jackson  to  be  on  the  alert, — to  guard  every  as- 
sailable point,  and  to  protect  from  disaffection  and  mutiny 
the  army,  was  required  by  every  consideration  of  neces- 
sity to  himself,  and  interest  to  the  country.     At  such  a 
moment  of  uncertainty  and  peril,  to  permit  the  army  to 
be   wasted  and   destroyed   through    riot   and   desertion, 
must   have   resulted    in    consequences    most   disastrous. 
Who  pardoneth  the  guilty,  murdereth  the  innocent,  is  a 
remark  no  less  trite  than  true.  If  feeling  apart  from  judg- 
ment had  been  exercised,  these  men  might  have  lived  to 
atone  their  error,  or  else  again  to  set  prejudicial  and  inju- 
rious examples.  In  doubtful  cases,  or  where  example  may 
be  dispensed  with,  mercy  may  plead  successfully,  but  her 
voice  ought  never  to  be  heard  where  the  demands  of  jus- 
tice are   clearly  ascertained,  and  the  safety  of  a  whole 
country  warns  against  it.  The  enemy  had  retired,  though 
they  were  yet  powerful ;  and  although  "  for  the  present 
all  further  operations  were  suspended,"  it  was  in  their 
power  to  renew    assault  at  any  time.       Official  intelli- 
gence of  peace,  through  an  express  from  the  government, 
was  not,  communicated  to  General  Jackson  until  the  13th 
of  February,  two  days  after  the  capture  of  Fort  Bowyer; 
nor  until  the  J  9th,  when  similar  information  was  received 
by  General  Lambert,  did  hostilities  between  th^  two  ar- 
mies terminate.     At  such  time,  and  under  such  circum- 
stances, justice,  not  mercy,  should  have  claimed  control. 
Had  thos^  offenders  been  pardoned,  with  no  propriety  af- 
terwards could  an  effort  have  been  made  to  arrest  mutiny  and 
insubordination,  no  matter  to  what  untoward  length  both 
might  have  proceeded.     Mercy  so  mistaken,  at  a  period 
so  threatening,  might  have  carried  with  it  consequences 
highly  pernicious,  and  furnished  an  example,  the  force 
and  effect  of  which  might  not  afterwards  have  been  pro- 
vided against. 

The  legislature  of  Louisiana  had  re-commenced  the 
session.  The  necessity  which  had  induced  a  suspension 
of  their  deliberations,  having  been  removed,  by  the  de- 
parture of  the  enemy,   they  were  no  longer  restricted  in 


250  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOH, 

the  exercise  of  their  constitutional  privileges.  Some  of 
the  members,  during  the  past  struggle,  had  forsaken  their 
official  duties,  and  repaired  to  the  field,  where  more  im- 
portant services  were  to  be  rendered,  and  where  they  had 
manifested  a  zeal  and  devotion  to  the  country  worthy  of 
imitation.  A  much  greater  part,  however,  had  pursued  a 
very  opposite  course,  and  stood  aloof  from  impending  dan- 
ger. The  disposition  shown,  on  the  28th  of  December, 
to  propose  a  capitulation  with  the  enemy,  has  been  ad- 
verted to :  how  far  it  was  calculated  to  estrange  public 
sentiment  from 'a  conviction,  which  the  commanding  gene- 
ral, throughout,  had  endeavoured  to  rivet  and  impress, 
"  that  the  country  could  and  would  be  successfully  de- 
fended,** can  be  easily  imagined.  But  he  had  sinned  be- 
yond forgiveness.  The  course  adopted — his  arresting  all 
proceedings,  and  suspending  deliberation  by  placing  an 
armed  force  at  the  door  of  the  capitol,  were  viewed  as  in- 
tolerable infringements  upon  legislative  prerogative — de- 
nounced as  an  abuse  of  powcx,  and  hence  the  first  Oppor- 
tunity was  seized  to  exhibit  their  resentment  agamst  the 
man  who  had  stood  forth  in  opposition,  and  defeated  their 
designs.*  Whether  it  were  better  to  indulge  them  in  a 
heedless  course,  or,  by  interposing  a  remedy,  arrest  the 
purpose  intended, 'preserve  the  nation  from  dishonour,  and 
avert  the  dangerous  consequences  involved,  was  not  a  mat- 
ter requiring  much  deliberation;  nor  was  it  a  circumstance 
to  justify  the  legislature  in  treating  with  disrespect,  him 
"who  was  the  efficient  cause  of  all  that  had  been  achieved. 
No  sooner  had  the  members  resumed  the  exercise  of 
legislative  duties,  than  their  first  concern  was  to  pass  in 
review,  the  incidents  of  the  last  month.  *  To  those  who 
had  acted  vigilantly  in  the  defence  of  the  state,  and  who, 
by  their  toils  and  exertions,  had  contributed  to  its  safety, 
they  officially  tendered  their  thanks;  but  of  Jackson,  no- 
thing was  said.  We  are  not  disposed  to  censure  or  call 
in  question  the  conduct  of  this  body,  though  the  circum- 
stances present  no  very  favourable  appearance.  When 
danger  threatened,  they  were  disposed  to  make  terms  with 
the  enemy,  and  obtain  safety  by  a  surrender  of  the  city: 
from  this  they  were  prevented.  Incensed  at  being  thus 
unexpectedly  restrained  in  the  execution 'of  their  designs, 
no  sooner  did  they  resume  the  duties  of  their  station,  than 

•  See  page  210. 


CHAPTER  XI.  251 

they  became  lavish  in  the  praise  of  those  who  adopted  and 
pursued  a  course  directly  contrary  to  their  own;  while  in 
that  commendation  and  approval,  they  intentionally  neg- 
lected the  very  man  to  whom  the  country  was  indebted 
for  its  salvation.  To  Jackson,  this  was  an  immaterial 
circumstance;  he  had  a  mind  incapable  of  being  inflated 
by  applause,  or  depi-essed  by  unmerited  censure.  He 
knew,  full  well,  that  his  countrymen  would  duly  appreciate 
his  conduct,  trace  all  his  actions  to  their  proper  motives, 
and  extend  '* honour  to  whom  honour  was  due."  Huma' 
num  est  errare,  was  a  maxim  from  which  he  claimed  no 
exemption ;  but  a  conviction  rested  on  his  mind  that  ne- 
cessity had  prompted  him  to  the  course  he  had  taken,  and 
that  if  he  had  erred,  it  was  for  the  general  good :  if  legisla- 
tive prerogative  had  been  invaded,  it  was  to  save  the 
actors  from  themselves;  if  constitutional  forms  and  provi- 
sions had  been  violated,  the  country  had  been  thereby  pro- 
tected from  outrage,  dishonour,  and  ruin.  These  afforded 
consolatory  reflections,  which  the  neglect  or  censures  of 
none,  could  disturb,  or  take  away.  Mindful  of  what  he 
owed  to  his  country,  and  what  was  expected  at  his  hands, 
he  continued  a  course  calculated  to  preserve  the  advanta- 
ges he  had  secured,  regardless  of  the  cabal,  the  murmur- 
ing and  intrigue  of  party. 

Appearances  in  the  American  camp  were  about  this 
time  assuming  an  unfavourable  aspect:  present  danger  and 
alarm  being  removed,  confusion  was  arising,  and  disaffec- 
tion spreading  through  the  ranks.  Pretexts  were  sought 
to  escape  the  drudgery  of  the  field.  Many  naturalized 
citizens,  who  had  been  brought  into  the  service,  and  made 
to  aid  in  the  general  defence,  where  seeking  exemption  from 
further  control,  and  claiming  to  be  subjects  of  the  king  of 
France.  Some  vv^ere  indeed  foreigners :  but  most  of  them 
had  become  citizens  of  the  United  States;  yet,  notwith- 
standing, as  French  subjects,  they  were  seeking,  and  actu- 
ally procuring,  exonerations  through  Monsieur  Toussard, 
the  consul  resident  at  New  Orleans.  No  applicant  ever 
went  away  unsupplied,  and  hundreds,  for  the  price  of  a 
consular  certificate,  obtained  protections  which  were  to 
relieve  them  from  the  drudgery  of  the  field,  and  the  ties 
due  to  their  adopted  country.  A  flag  was  displayed  from 
the  consul's  residence,  and  a  rumour  circulated,  that  un- 
der it  every  Frenchman  would  find  protection.  Five  dol- 
lars, the  price  of  the  certificate,  was  all  that  was  required 


252  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

of  any  applicant  to  assure,  through  the  consul,  the  pro- 
tection of   the  French  government.     Harassed  by  such 
evils,  which  were  every  day  increasing,  and  having  strong 
and  satisfactory  reasons  to  believe  that  the  enemy,  then 
within  a  few  hours'  sail  of  the  shore,  were  constantly  ad- 
vised of  his  situation,  Jackson  determined  to  adopt  such 
measures  as  would  at  once  put  down  the  machinations  of 
the   guilty  and  designing.     Toussard,  thus  manifesting, 
what  could  be  considered   in    no  other  light,  a  warmth 
of  attachment  to  the  English,  and  a  desire  to  aid  them, 
was  ordered  to  leave  the  city — retire  to  the  interior  of  the 
country,  nor  venture  to  return,  until  peace  was  restored. 
His  countrymen,  also,  who  were  disposed  to  claim  his  pro- 
tection, and  abandon  the  service,  were  ordered  to  follow 
him,  and,  at  their  peril,  not  to  appear  again  about  New 
Orleans.     The  General  did  this  with  a  view  to  his  owa 
security,  and  from  a  conviction  that  those  who  could  thus 
shamefully  seek  to  avoid  a  contest,  threatened  against  a 
country  which  they  had  adopted,  and  whose  privileges 
and  benefits  they  had  enjoyed,  would  not  scruple,  if  occa- 
sion offered,  to  inflict  any  injury  in  their  power; — he  be- 
lieved  his   camp,  or   its  vicinity,  by  no  means  a  proper 
place  where  such  characters  should  be  permitted  to  loiter. 
Particular  care  and  caution  had  been  early  taken  that 
embarrassments  'on  the  score  of   citizensliip  might  not 
arise.     Danger  threatening,  it  was  no  difficult  matter  to 
perceive,  that  on  the  ground  of  being  subjects  of  a  foreign 
power,  and  owing  no   allegiance  to    the  United   States, 
many  would  assert  a  neutrality  and  exemption  from  the 
fatigues  and  dangers  of  the  field.     If  entitled  to  this  cha- 
racter, ther.  was  it  fair  they  should  receive  whatever  of 
immunity  could  attach  to  their  claim;  yet  if  in  prosperous 
times  they  had  asserted  their  right  to  be  citizens, — parti- 
cipated in  our  privileges,  and  drawn  to  themselves  the  be- 
nefits  appertaining  to  that  relation,  then  was  there  every 
Justice  in    demanding    of  them  those  military    servicer 
which  were  exacted  of  others;  but  as  the  language  spok- 
en was  not  vernacular,  any  inquiry  on  this  subject,  cal- 
culated to  result  in  certain>y,  was  attended  with  difficulty. 
Fortunately,  however,  a  warmly  contested  election,   the 
preceding  summer,  had  taken  place  at  New  Orleans,  and 
a   register  of  the  votes  on  the  occasion  had  been  pre- 
served.    To  this  document  then.  General  Jackson  resort- 
ed, and  with  this  unanswerable  argument,  that  those  v,ho 


CHAPTER    XI.  253 

had  voted,  and  thereby  participated  in  the  highest  privi- 
leges of  the  country,  should  not  now  be  permitted  to  deny, 
or  throw  off,  a  relation  and  citizenship  thus  established. 
By  this  mean,  he  rendered  in  a  great  degree,  inoperative, 
the  French  consul's  certificates,  and  compelled  to  the  field, 
spite  of  their  consular  protection,  every  man  M'hosename 
could  be  traced  on  the  election  roster. 

Our  own  citizens,  too,  were  giving  rise  to  difficulties, 
and  increasing  the  danger  of  the  moment.  Mr.  Living- 
ston had  arrived  on  the  10th  of  March  from  the  British 
fleet,  whither  he  had  gone  to  effect  a  general  cartel: 
through  him.  Admiral X^ochrane  had  announced  the  arrival 
of  a  vessel  from  Jamaica,  with  news,  that  a  treaty  of  peace 
had  been  agreed  on  and  signed  by  the  two  countries.  This 
information  was  immediately  caught  at  by  the  news-mon- 
gers, and  from  intention,  or  the  want  of  correct  intelli- 
gence, appeared  in  the  Louisiana  Gazette,  in  an  entirely 
different  shape:  it  communicated  the  arrival  of  a  flag  at 
head-quarters,  with  news  of  the  conclusion  of  peace,  and 
requesting  a  suspension  of  hostilities.  It  was  evident, 
the  effect  of  such  a  declaration  must  be,  to  introduce 
lassitude,  or  perhaps  disaffection  among  the  troops,  and 
induce  a  belief  that  their  accustomed  vigilance  was  no 
longer  necessary.  Sensible  of  this.  General  Jackson  sent 
for  the  editor,  and  instructed  him  to  alter  what  he  had 
stated,  and  exhibit  the  facts,  which  he  now  communicated 
truly  as  they  were.  He  adopted  this  course,  through  fear  of 
the  consequences  to  be  produced.  One  thing  he  well  knew, 
that  the  enemy  had  retired,  u^'ler  circumstances  of  mortifi- 
cation and  humbled  feeling,  al  their  complete  discomfiture; 
nor  Vf-hile  it  remained  not  an  improbable  conjecture,  that 
they  might  yet  seek  an  accomplishment  of  their  view5^ 
through  any  channel  a  hope  of  success  cov.Id  be  discerned. 
Might  not  this  annunciation  of  peace,  and  pretended  request 
for  a  suspension  of  hostilities,  introduced  through  the  pub- 
lic journals,  be  a  device  of  the  enemy  to  induce  a  relaxation 
in  his  system  of  operation  and  defence :  to  divert  his  ofli- 
cers  and  soldiers  from  that  attention  and  activity  so  essen- 
tial to  security, — to  excite  discontents  and  murmurings, 
and  alternately  a  desire  to  be  discharged  from  the  further 
drudgery  of  a  camp?  All  these  dangers  he  saw  lurking  be- 
neath the  rumour  if  false;  and  whether  true  or  false,  it 
was  foreign  to  his  duty  to  be  influenced  by  any  thing,  un- 
til it  should  be  officially  comniunicated  by  his  govern- 


tSA  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

menL  Fearful  of  the  effect  it  might  produce,  he  lost  no 
time  in  addressing  his  army:  *'  how  disgraceful,"  he  re- 
marked, "  as  well  as  disastrous,  would  it  be,  if,  by  sur- 
rendering ourselves  credulously  to  newspaper  publications, 
often  proceeding  from  ignorance^  but  more  frequently 
from  dishonest  design,  we  should  permit  an  enemy,  whom 
we  have  so  lately  and  so  gloriously  beaten,  to  regain  the 
advantages  he  has  lost,  and  triumph  over  us  in  turn."  A 
general  order,  at  the  same  time,  announced  that  no  publi- 
cation relating  to  the  army,  was  to  be  published  in  any 
newspaper,  without  first  obtaining  permission.  It  has 
been  objected,  that  this  prohibition,  going  to  restrict  the 
exercise  of  a  constitutional  right,  was  an  outrage  on  the 
feelings  and  liberty  of  the  country:  but  if  the  press  be  of 
so  sacred  and  intactible  a  character,  that  it  may  adopt  and 
pursue  a  course,  calculated  to  scatter  dissentions,  and  ex- 
cite mutiny  in  the  ranks  of  an  army,  when  in  the  verf 
face  of  an  enemy,  without  the  power  of  control,  it  is  a 
circumstance  to  be  regretted.  Reflecting  minds  will  de- 
termine, if  an  interposition  of  power  were  not  necessary 
to  restrain  so  dangerous  a  freedom,  and  to  avert  injury 
from  a  country,  whose  protection  the  press,  when  it  seeks 
to  injure,  ceases  to  deserve-  ■ 

Notwithstandiug'this  salutary  and  innocent  prohibition, 
shortly  afterwards  an  anonymous  publication  appeared  ia 
the  Louisiana  Courier,  calculated  by  its  inflammatory 
character  to  excite  mutiny  among  the  troops,  and  afford 
the  enemy  intelligence  of  the  situation,  condition  and  dis- 
position of  the  army.  It  waj^^now  high  time,  the  General 
believed,  to  act  with  decision,  and  prove  by  the  exercise 
of  authority,  that  such  conduct  militated  against  the  po- 
lice, the  safety  of  his  camp  and  country,  and  required  not 
to  be  passed  with  impunity.  The  enemy  had  heretofore 
effected  a  landing,  secretly,  and  without  opposition;  and 
although  beaten,  might  again  return.  If  spies  were  to  be 
nestled  in  his  camp,  and  permitted  to  stand  forth  to  the 
vrorld  with  the  gleanings  of  their  industry,  it  was  folly  to 
believe  the  enemy  would  not  profit  by  the  information. 
Martial  law  yet  prevailed  in  New  Orleans,  and  he  resolved 
to  put  it  in  execution  against  those  who  manifested  such 
evident  disregard  of  the  public  good.  The  editor  was 
immediately  sent  for  to  the  General's  quarters;  he  stated 

the  author  of  the  piece  to  be Louaillier,  a  member 

of  the  legislature,  and  he  was  thereupon  discharged. 


CHAPTER  XI-  255 

Louaillier  was  arrested,  and  detained  for  trial.  This 
circumstance  afforded  civilians  a  fair  opportunity  of  test- 
ing if  it  were  in  the  power  of  a  commanding  general  to 
raise  the  military  above  the  civil  authority,  and  render  it 
superior  by  any  declaration  of  his.  Application  was  made 
to  Judge  Hall,  for  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  which  was  im- 
mediately issued.  The  General,  to  render  the  example  as 
efficacious  as  possible,  and  from  information  that  the 
Judge  had  been  much  more  officious  than  duty  required: 
and  believing  it  a  combination  and  concert  to  test  his 
power,  determined  to  arrest  the  Judge  also,  and  thereby 
at  once  to  settle  the  question  of  authority.  On  a  matter 
involving  such  important  consequences,  he  believed  it 
best  to  have  it  determined  in  a  way  to  silence  opposi- 
tion, and  show  that  he  was  resolved  to  put  down  every 
effort  to  thwart  the  measures  he  had  adopted  for  defence, 
or  which  was  calculated  to  destroy  the  police  he  had  es- 
tablished for  the  tranquillity  of  his  camp,  and  safety  of  the 
country. 

Instead  of  surrendering  Louaillier,  and  acting  in  obe- 
dience to  the  writ  issued  for  his  relief,  he  arrested  the 
person  of  the  Judge,  and,  on  the  1 1th  of  March,  sent  him 
from  the  city,  with  these  instructions — **I  have  thought 
proper  to  send  you  beyond  the  limits  of  my  encampment, 
to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  improper  conduct  with  which 
you  have  been  charged.  You  will  remain  v.  ithout  the  line 
of  my  sentinels  until  the  ratification  of  peace  is  regularly 
announced,  or  until  the  British  shall  have  left  the  southern 
coast."  He  did  this,  believing  he  was  right  in  the  decla- 
ration of  martial  law,  and  that  the  good  sense  of  Judge 
Hall,  at  so  momentous  a  period,  should  have  taught  him 
a  different  course.  He  did  it,  because  di^pgsed  to  give 
complete  effect  to  his  measures — to  silence  opposition,  and 
satisfy  the  refractory  and  designing,  that  judicial  interfe- 
rence should  not  mar  the  execution  of  his  plans,  or  af- 
ford a  screen,  behind  which  treason  might  stalk  unmo- 
lested. He  did  it,  to  make  the  example  effectual,  and  to 
obtain,  through  fear,  that  security  which  could  not  be  had 
through  love  of  country. 

I  The  mind  coolly  calculating,  in  the  closet,  cannot  fairly 
appreciate  the  merits  of  this  question.  Proper  inferen- 
ces can  be  only  drawn,  by  bearing  in  recollection  all  those 
circumstances  which  existed  at  the  moment.    That  a  zeal 


256  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

suited  to  the  occasion  was  not  felt,  the  events  ah'eady  ad- 
verted to  abundantly  prove.  The  course  pursued  by  the 
legislature  had  evidenced  a  feeling  and  conduct  which  had 
forfeited  reliance;  while  the  enemy  being,  as  we  have 
heretofore  shown,  constantly  advised  of  every  thing  trans- 
acted in  the  American  camp,  plainly  evinced,  that  safety 
and  success  were  to  be  attained  in  no  other  way  than  by 
pursuing  a  course  at  once  firm  and  determined. 

The  militia  had  already  grown  tired  of  the  field,  and 
sighed  to  be  discharged  from  their  toils.  To  impress  on 
their  minds  a  conviction,  that,  peace  being  restored,  they 
were  unnecessarily  detained  in  service,  when  it  rested  on 
rumour  alone;  or  to  attempt,  Jby  any  course  of  conduct, 
to  render  them  more  disaffected,  carried  with  it  such  a  de- 
gree of  criminality  and  guilt,  as  could  not  be  permitted, 
without  endangering  the  safety  of  the  country.  This  spirit 
of  discontent  had  become  extensively  diffused.  The  differ- 
ent posts  -which  had  been  established,  could  with  diffi- 
culty be  maintained.  The  Kentucky  troops,  and  two  hun- 
of  the  Louisiana  miilitia,  stationed  in  defence  of  Villery's 
canal,  had  abandoned  their  post.  Chef  Menteur,  too, 
a  point  no  less  important,  had  been  forsaken  by  one  huiH 
dred  and  fifty  of  the  Louisianians,  spite  of  the  remoit- 
strances  and  exeitions  of  officers  to  detain  them.  Go- 
vernor Claiborne  had  been  heard  to  declare,  in  words  of 
mysterious  import,  that  serious  difficulties  would  be  short- 
ly witnessed  in  New  Orleans.  For  the  commanding  gene- 
ral, at  a  time  like  this,  when  disaffection  was  spreading 
like  contagion  through  his  camp,  patiently  to  have  stood 
and  witflessed  mutiny  fomented  and  encouraged  by  per- 
sons who,  from  their  standing  in  society,  were  calculated 
to  possess  a  d^igerous  influence,  would  have  been  a  crime 
he  wever  could  have  sufficiently  atoned,  had  injury  result- 
ed. He  thought  it  time  enough  to  relax  in  operations, 
and  ground  his  arms,  when  the  conclusion  of  peace  should 
be  announced  through  the  proper  authorities.  Until  then, 
believing  imperious  duty  required  it,  he  resolved  to  main- 
lain  his  advantages,  and  check  opposition,  at  every  hazard. 
To  have  obeyed  the  writ  would  have  been  idle.  He  had 
declared  the  existence  of  military  authority,  and  thereby 
intended  to  supersede  all  judicial  power.  If  he  had  obey- 
ed the  mandate,  it  would  have  been  an  acknowledgment  of 
civil  supremacy,  and  a  virtual  abandonment  of  the  course 


CHAPTER  XI.  257 

he  had  adopted.  It  was  not  an  improbable  event,  that  the 
petitioner  would  be  discharged,  on  a  hearing,  because 
guilty  of  no  offence  cognizable  by  the  civil  courts.  He 
had  not  levied  war  against  the  country,  nor  directly  aided 
the  enemy;  but  had  done  that  which  was  paralyzing  exer- 
tion, scattering  dissension,  introducing  mutiny,  and  thin- 
ning the  ranks  of  the  army.  Either  judicial  interference 
should  have  been  disregarded,  or  the  arrest  was  wholly 
unnecessary.  But  whether  the  course  pursued  were  right 
or  wrong,  the  effect  was  important  and  salutary,  for  good 
order  was  restored,  and  disorganizers  forthwith  were 
hushed  to  silence. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  an  express  from  the  city  of 
Washington  arrived  at  head-quarters,  bearing  intelligence 
of  the  conclusion  and  ratification  of  a  treaty  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States,  and  directing  a  cessation  of 
hostilities.  The  information  was  altogether  of  defective 
character,  for  by  some  strange  fatality,  the  communication 
from  the  government  had  been  interchanged  on  the  road, 
or  at  starting,  and  instead  of  a  despatch  declarative  of  the 
conclusion  of  a  peace,  there  was  borne  to  him  an  order 
for  calling  additional  troops  into  service.  Enough,  how- 
ever, besides  verbal  information  from  the  messenger,  v/as 
received,  to  satisfy  General  Jackson,  and  forthwith,  an 
order  was  promulgated,  announcing  the  certain  return  of 
peace,  and  revoking  the  operation  of  martial  lav/.  A 
similar  annunciation  was  directly  thereafter  received  from 
his  governmelit  by  General  Lambert,  commander  of  the 
British  forces  before  New  Orleans;  and  on  the  I9th,  mili- 
tary operations  by  the  two  armies  entirely  ceased.  The 
aspect  of  affairs  was  now  changing;  the  militia  were  dis- 
charged from  service;  bustle  was  subsiding;  and  joy  and 
tranquillity  every  where  appearing.  A  proclamation  was 
immediately  issued,  proclaiming  to  offenders  pardon  and 
forgiveness  for  all  offences  committed. 

Judge  Hall,  being  restored  to  the  exercise  of  those  func- 
tions, of  which  he  had  been  lately  bereaved,  by  military 
arrest,  proceeded,  without  loss  of  time,  to  an  examina- 
tion of  v/hat  had  passed,  and  to  become  the  arbiter  of  his 
own  wrongs  and  injuries.  Accordingly,  on  the  21st,  he 
granted  a  rule  of  court  for  General  Jackson  to  appear, 
and  show  cause  why  an  attachment  for  contempt  should 
not  be  awarded,  on  the  ground  that  he  had  refused  to  obey 
Y  2 


258,  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

.  a  writ  issued  to  him, — detained  an  original  paper  belong- 
ing to  the  court,  and  imprisoned  the  judge.* 

In  this  case,  there  was  certainly  too  much  latitude  for 
an  improper  indulgence  of  feeling,  for  the  judge,  the  com- 
plaining party,  to  claim  any  kind  of  interference  :  it  would 
have  been  more  advisable  to  have  appealed  to  a  jury  of 
his  country,  and  thus  brought  before  a  dispassionate  tri- 
bunal, the  question  of  the  illegality  of  his  arrest  and  de- 
tention. But,  by  becoming  the  prosecutor  and  arbiter  of 
his  own  grievances,  he  placed  himself  in  a  situation  where 
reason  could  have  but  little  agency,  calculated  to  do  in- 
justice, and  attach  to-4iis  decision  suspicion  and  censure. 
It  would  have  been  more  satisfactory  to  Jackson,  to  have 
met  the  inquiry  before  a  less  partial  tribunal;  yet,  al- 
though he  was  well  convinced  of  its  being  an  extra-judi- 
cial proceeding,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  appear,  and  sub- 
mit the  grounds  which  he  believed  ought  fully  to  acquit 
him  of  all  alleged  guilt.  The  trial  by  jury  was  secured, 
generally,  in  criminal  prosecutions,  and  in  all  others,  ex- 
cept where  the  law,  from  conceived  necessity,  had  expli- 
citly directed  a  more  summary  course.  Inasmuch,  then, 
as  the  indignity  complained  of,  and  the  right  to  punish 
for  contempt,  was  not  clearly  within  the  provisions  of  any 
existing  law,  but  mferely  a  right  incidental  to  judicial  pow- 
er, it  was  believed  the  court  possessed  no  jurisdiction  of 
the  case, — that  it  deserved  to  be  classed  with  general  in- 
juries, and  inquired  into  by  a  jury.  Claiming  to  himself 
this  and  other  exceptions  to  the  jurisdiction,  he  met  the 
investigation.  He  was  the  more  disposed  to  do  so,  be- 
cause the  busy  politicians  of  the  city  had  condemned  his 
acts,  without  seeking  for  the  reasons  which  had  induced 
them.  An  opportunity  was  now  presented  of  developing 
them  fully,  and  of  bringing  to  the  view  of  his  country, 
the  weighty  considerations  that  had  influenced  his  mind, 
and  to  which,  in  a  great  measure,  were  to  be  ascribed  the 
protection  and  safety  the  country  had  experienced. 

On  the  24th,  his  appearance  being  entered,  he  stood  re- 
presented at  the  bar  by  John  Reid,  his  aid-de-camp,  and 
Messrs.  Livingston  and  Duncan.     Major  Reid   address- 

*  The  writ  had  been  detained,  and  a  certified  copy  given,  on  account 
of  its  having  been  altered  by  Judge  Hall,  in  a  material  part.  The  Ge- 
neral's reasons  for  the  detention  will  be  found  in  his  answer,  at  the  end 
of  the  volume. 


CHAPTER  XI.  259 

ing  himself  to  the  court,  remarked,  that  he  appeared  with 
the  General's  answer,  supported  by  an  affidavit,  which 
went  to  show,  that  the  rule  should  be  discharged,  and  no 
further  proceeding  had.  A  curious  course  of  judicial 
proceeding  was  now  witnessed.  Cause,  why  the  rule 
should  not  be  made  absolute^  was  to  be  shown,  and  yet  the 
judge  would  determine  whether  the  reasons  were  excep- 
tionable or  not,  previously  to  their  being  heard.  The 
counsel  urged  in  vain,  the  propriety  of  his  hearing  first, 
before  he  decided,  if  the  answer  were  consonant  with  pro- 
priety. This  was  over-ruled.  He  would  first  determine 
what  it  should  be.  If  within  any  of  the  rules  laid  down, 
it  should  be  heard, — not  else. 

"If,"  remarked  the  judge,  "the  party  object  to  the 
jurisdiction,  he  shall  be  heard. 

*'  If  it  be  a  denial  of  facts;  or  that  the  facts  charged 
do  not  amount  to  a  contempt,  he  shall  be  heard. 

"If  it  be  an  apology  to  the  court;  or  an  intention  to 
show,  that  by  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United 
States,  or  in  virtue  of  his  military  commission,  he  had  a 
right  to  act  as  charged,  the  court  will  hear  him. " 

Hear  what  it  does  contain,  and  you  can  then  decide  if 
it  come  under  any  of  the  general  rules  laid  down,  was  re- 
plied and  argued  at  length  by  his  counsel,  as  the  correct 
and  proper  course.  The  ears  of  the  court  however  were 
closed  against  every  thing  of  argument  or  reason,  and 
without  hearing  the  defence,  the  rule  was  rendered  abso- 
lute, and  the  attachment  sued  out. 

The  process  was  made  returnable  the  31st:  and  on  that 
day  the  General  appeared.  Public  feeling  was  excited; 
and  the  crowd,  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectation,  were  anx- 
iously waiting  to  know  what  punishment  the  judge  would 
think  due  to  acts  which  all  agreed  had  mainly  contributed 
to  the  success  of  our  cause.  Jackson,  previously  ap- 
prized of  the  popular  fervor  towards  him,  and  solicitous 
that  nothing  on  his  part  should  be  done  calculated  to  give 
it  impulse,  practised  more  than  usual  caution:  and  now 
when  it  became  necessary  to  appear  in  public,  to  ward 
himself  from  crimes  imputed,  he  threw  off  his  military 
costume,  and  assuming  the  garb  of  a  citizen,  the  better  to 
disguise  himself,  entered  alone  the  hall,  where  the  court 
was  sitting.  Undiscovered  amidst  the  concourse  which 
was  present,  he  had  nearly  reached  the  bar,  when,  being 
perceived,  the  room  instantly  rung  with  the  shouts  of  a 


260  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

thousand  voices.  Raising  himself  on  a  bench  and  waiving 
his  hand  to  procure  silence,  a  pause  ensued.  He  then  ad- 
dressed himself  to  the  crowd;  told  them  of  the  duty  due 
to  the  public  authorities;  for  that  any  impropriety  of  theirs 
would  be  imputed  to  him,  and  urged,  if  they  had  any  re- 
gard for  him,  that  they  would,  on  the  present  occasion, 
forbear  those  feelings  and  expressions  of  opinion.  Si- 
lence being  restored,  the  Judge  rose  from  his  seat,  and  re- 
marking, that  it  was  impossible,  nor  safe,  to  transact 
business  at  such  a  moment,  and  under  such  threatening 
circumstances,  directed  the  marshal  to  adjourn  the  court- 

The  General  immediately  interfered,  and  requested  that 
it  might  not  be  done.  "  There  is  no  danger  here;  there 
shall  be  none — the  same  arm  that  protected  from  out- 
rage this  city,  against  the  invaders  of  the  country,  will 
shield  and  protect  this  court,  or  perish  in  the  effort"'  This 
declaration  had  the  effect  to  tranquillize  the  feelings  and 
apprehensions  of  the  Judge;  and  the  business  of  the  court 
was  proceeded  with.  It  was  now  demanded  of  him  to  an- 
swer nineteen  interrogatories,  drawn  up  with  much  labour, 
and  in  studied  form,  which  were  to  determine  as  to  his 
guilt  or  innocence.  He  informed  the  court  he  should  not 
be  interrogated;  that,  on  a  former  occasion,  he  had  pre- 
sented the  reasons  which  had  influenced  his  conduct, 
without  their  producing  an  effect,  or  being  even  listened 
to.  '*  You  would  not  hear  my  defence,  although  you  were 
advised  it  contained  nothing  improper,  and  ample  reasons 
why  no  attachment  should  be  awarded.  Under  these  cii^ 
cumstances,  I  appear  before  you,  to  receive  the  sentence 
of  the  court,  having  nothing  further  in  my  defence  to 
offer. 

''Your  honour  will  not  understand  me  as  intending  any 
disrespect  to  the  court:  but  as  no  opportunity  has  been 
afforded  me  of  explaining  the  reasons  and  motives  by 
which  I  was  influenced,  so  it  is  expected,  that  censure  or 
reproof  will  constitute  no  part  of  that  sentence  which  you 
may  imagine  it  your  duty  to  pronounce.*' 

The  Judge  proceeded  to  a  final  discharge  of  what  he 
conceived  clue  to  the  offended  majesty  of  the  laws,  and 
fined  the  Genei-al  a  thousand  dollars. 

The  hall  in  which  this  business  was  transacted  was 
greatly  crowded,  and  excitement  every  where  prevailed. 
No  sooner  was  the  judgment  of  the  court  pronounced, 
than  again  v/ere  sent  forth  shouts  of  the  people.     He  was 


CHAPTER    XI.  261 

now  seized  and  forcibly  hurried  from  the  hall  to  the 
streets,  amidst  reiterated  cries  of  huzza  for  Jacksori,  from 
the  immense  concourse  that  surrounded  him.  They  pre- 
sently met  a  carriage  in  which  a  lady  was  riding-,  when, 
politely  taking  her  from  it,  the  General  was  made,  spite  of 
entreaty,  to  occupy  her  place:  the  horses  being  removed, 
the  carriage  was  drawn  on,  and  halted  at  the  coffee-house, 
into  which  he  was  carried,  and  thither  the  crowd  follow- 
ed, huzzaing  for  Jackson,  and  menacing  violently  the 
Judge.  Having  succeeded  in  procuring  silence,  he  ad- 
dressed them  with  great  feeling  and  earnestness;  implored 
themi  to  run  into  no  excesses;  that  if  they  had  the  least 
gratitude  for  his  services,  or  regard  for  him  personally, 
they  could  evince  it  in  no  way  so  satisfactorily,  as  by  as- 
senting, as  he  most  freely  did,  to  the  decision  which  had 
just  been  pronounced.  He  conceded  that  the  civil  was  the 
paramount  and  supreme  authority  of  the  land,  and  that  he 
had  never  pretended  to  any  thing  else,  or  advocated  a  dif- 
ferent doctrine.  He  had  departed  from  its  rules,  because 
they  were  too  feeble  for  the  state  of  the  times.  By  a  re- 
sort to  martial  law,  he  had  succeeded  in  defending  and 
protecting  a  country,  which,  without  it,  must  have  been 
lost;  yet  under  its  provisions  he  had  oppressed  no  one, 
nor  extended  the  declaration  to  any  other  purpose  than  de- 
fence and  safety;  objects  which  alone  it  was  intended  to 
effect."  *' I  feel,"  continued  he,  *' sensible  for  those 
marks  of  personal  regard  which  you  have  evinced  towards 
me;  and  with  pleasure  remember  those  high  efforts  of  va- 
lour and  patriotism  which  so  essentially  contributed  to  the 
defence  of  the  country.  If  recent  events  have  shown  you 
what  fearless  valour  c^  effect,  it  is  a  no  less  important 
truth  to  learn,  that  submission  to  the  civil  authority  is  the 
first  duty  of  a  citizen.  In  the  arduous  necessity  imposed 
on  me,  of  defending  this  important  and  interesting  city, 
imperious  circumstances  compelled  me,  either  to  jeopar- 
dize those  important  interests  which  were  confided  to  me, 
or  to  take  upon  myself  the  responsibility  of  measures 
which  have  been  termed  high  handed^  but  which,  I  thought 
absolutely  essential  for  defence.  Thus  situated,  I  did  not 
hesitate — I  could  not.  I  risked  all  consequences;  and  you 
have  seen  me  meet  the  penalty  of  nny  aggression,  and  bow 
with  submission  to  the  sentence  of  the  law.  Had  the  pe- 
nalty imposed  reached  the  utmost  extent  of  my  ability  to 
meet  it,  I  should  not  have  murmured  or  complained;  nor 


262  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

now,  when  it  is  ended,  would  I  forbear  a  similar  course 
were  the  same  necessity  and  circumstances  again  to  recur. 
If  the  offence  with  which  I  am  charged  had  not  been  com- 
mitted, the  laws  by  which  I  have  been  punished  would  not 
now  exist:  Sincerely  do  I  rejoice  in  their  maintenance  and 
safety,  although  the  first  vindication  of  their  violated  su- 
premacy has  been  evinced  in  the  punishment  of  myself! 
The  order  and  decorum  manifested  by  you,  amidst  vari- 
ous circumstances  of  strong  excitement,  merits  my  warm- 
est acknowledgments.  I  pray  you,  permit  that  modera- 
tion to  continue.  If  you  have  any  regard  for  me,  you 
will  not  do  otherwise  than  yield  respect  to  the  justice  of 
the  country,  and  to  the  character  of  its  ministers;  thai 
feeling  and  disposition  will,  I  trust,  always  characterize 
you;  and  evince  on  your  part,  as  firm  a  disposition  to 
maintain  inviolate  and  unimpaired  the  laws  of  the  coun- 
try, as  you  have  recently  shown  to  defend  yourself  against 
invasion  and  threatened  outrage,"  Mr.  Davasac,  who  had 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  volunteer  aid,  being  requested  to 
do  so  by  the  General,  rose,  and  in  the  French  language, 
repeated  the  substance  of  the  remarks  previously  deliver- 
ed by  Jackson.  He  urged  zealously  the  maintenance  of 
peace  and  good  order,  and  thus  throughout  the  crowd 
was  produced  tranquillity  to  excited  feeling. 

Relieved  from  this  warm  display  of  gratitude  and  re- 
gard towards  him,  for  the  exertions  he  had  made  in  their 
defence,  Jackson  retired  to  his  quarters,  and  giving  a 
check  to  his  aid-de-camp,  sent  him  to  discharge  the  fine 
imposed,  and  to  terminate  his  contest  with  the  civil  autho- 
rity. He  was  greatly  consoled  at  learning,  through  vari- 
ous respectable  channels,  that  all^as  tranquil,  and  that 
against  the  Judge  nothing  of  indignity  or  unkindness  was 
longer  thought  of. 

So  riveted  was  the  impression,  that  the  course  pursued 
by  the  commanding  general  was  correct,  and  the  conduct 
of  Judge  Hall  more  the  result  of  spleen  than  any  thing  else, 
that  the  citizens  of  New  Orleans  determined  to  ward  off 
the  effect  of  intended  injury,  by  discharging  themselves 
the  fine  imposed.  It  was  only  necessary  to  be  thought  of, 
and  it  was  done.  So  numerous  were  the  persons,  enter- 
taining the  same  feelings  on  the  subject,  that  in  a  short 
time  the  entire  sum  was  raised  by  voluntary  contribution. 
The  General  understanding  what  was  in  agitation,  de- 
spatched his  aid-de-camp  to  seek  the  marshal,  and  thereby 


CHAPTER  XI.  263 

avoided  the  necessity  of  refusing  a  favour,  intended  to  be 
offered,  and  which  he  could  not  accept.  Without,  however, 
any  knowledge  of  his  wishes,  or  consulting  him  at  all  on 
the  subject,  they  proceeded  in  the  arrangement,  and  by 
subscription,  the  entire  amount  in  a  short  time  was  raised, 
and  deposited  to  his  use  in  bank,  and  notice  thereof  given. 
It  was  not  accepted,  though  refused  in  a  manner  the  most 
delicate.  In  reply,  he  declared  the  obligations  felt  for  this 
renewed  evidence  of  regard;  and  although  he  could  not 
accept  it,  yet  as  it  was  the  result  of  the  most  generous  feel- 
ing, he  solicited  that  the  amount  might  be  applied  to  the 
assistance  and  relief  of  those  whose  relatives,  during  the 
siege,  had  fallen  in  battle.  The  proposition  made  was  ac- 
ceded to,  and  the  amount  subscribed,  and  which  had  been 
designed  expressly  for  his  relief,  was  disposed  of  for  the 
benefit  of  the  widow  and  fatherless. 

Those  who  are  disposed  to  be  informed  further  upon 
this  subject,  and  to  know,  if  in  declaring  martial  law  he 
acted  correctly,  or  whether,  short  of  the  stern  and  deter- 
mmed  course  adopted,  he  could  have  effected  the  impor- 
tant ends  which  were  accomplished;  and  preserved  from 
dishonour,  wretchedness  and  ruin,  the  country  and  its  in- 
habitants, can  refer  to  the  able  and  eloquent  answer,  sub- 
mitted to  the  court,  and  which  was  refused  to  be  heard. 
It  will  be  found  replete  with  reasons  calculated  to  satisfy 
the  mind  that  the  course  he  took  was  required  by  every 
principle  of  propriety  and  necessity.* 

To  suspend  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  belongs  to  con- 
gress, by  the  constitution.  It  restricts  any  interference, 
except  in  cases  of  invasion  or  insurrection.  To  say  that 
it  is  a  privilege  which  must  be  continued  to  the  citizen 
until  discharged  by  a  law,  embracing  the  particular  cir- 
cumstances of  every  case  that  may  arise,  is  to  suppose  a 
something  that  never  can  happen.  An  invasion  might  be 
made,  a  thousand  miles  from  the  seat  of  government,  or 
in  the  recess  of  congress,  v,hen  no  authority,  competent  to 
its  suspension,  did  exist.  The  Roman  maxim,  inter  arma 
silent  leges^  had  its  origin  in  the  necessities  of  the  repub- 
lic, and  must  occasionally  apply  to  the  condition  and  cir- 
cumstances of  every  country.  In  all  governments  there 
are  moments  of  danger  and  distress,  when,  no  matter  how 
cautiously  protected  be  the  rights  of  the  citizens,  those 

*  See  note  F. 


264  LIFE   OF   GEJiEKAL  JACKSON. 

rights  must  be  disregarded,  not  for  the  purpose  of  being 
destroyed,  but  that  they  may  be  more  permanently  secured. 
Certainly  none  but  an  officer,  acting  upon  an  enemy  s  hne, 
privy  to  all  his  intrigues,  stratagems,  and  wiles,  can  so 
correctly  judge  of  the  emergency,  requiring  the  exercise 
of  such  power.  He  assumes  a  weighty  responsibility; 
but,  with  an  intelligent  world,  hazards  no  more,  than  to 
be  able  to  show,  that  threatening  danger,  and  unavoidable 
necessity,  required  him  to  act.  Cases  have  occurred 
where  the  constitution  has  been  violated  without  reproach, 
A  previous  appropriation  by  congress  is  required,  or  mo- 
nies are  forbidden  to  be  drawn  from  the  treasury ;  and  yet 
this  rule  has  been  disregarded  when  circumstances  made 
it  necessary;  and  sometimes  too,  violated  even  when  the 
necessities  of  the  country  did  not  demand  it.  Few  Gene- 
rals have,  in  all  situations,  respected  private  property; 
when  the  country  afforded  provisions,  and  their  armies 
were  in  want,  they  have  wrested  them  from  the  owner. 
Here,  it  may  be  said,  compensation  and  atonement  can 
be  offered,  but  none  for  the  violation  of  personal  liberty ; 
this,  however,  is  a  distinction  wi^thout  a  difference,  because 
both  rights  are  equally  sacred,  and  abstractedly,  the  in- 
fringement of  one  is  no  less  a  constitutional  violation  than 
the  other.  We  would  have  but  little  cause  to  applaud  the 
prudence,  energy,  or  good  sense  of  a  commanding  gene- 
ral, who  should  suffer  distress  and  want  in  his  camp,  mu- 
tiny in  his  army,  and  ruin  to  his  country,  when  he  possess- 
ed the  means  of  preventing  them,  yet  omitted  their  exer- 
cise^ because  the  constitution  forbade  him  to  act.  Highly 
as  we  may  appreciate  the  man,  who,  when  clothed  with 
authority,  avoids  infringing  this  sacred  sinckl  of  our  liocr- 
tv,  vet,  to  hesitate,  when  surrounded  by  peril  and  danger, 
nou'ld  deservedly  attach  to  him  the  censures  of  the  patrio- 
tic and  the  good.  Whenever  individual  rights  shall  be 
trampled  on,  and  personsl  liberty  disregarded  and  vio- 
lated, merited  reproach  will  pursue  him  whose  only 
justification  mav  be,  that  he  possessed  the  power:  but, 
when  founded  on  necessity,— demanded  by  the  exigency 
of  the  moment,  and  obviously  resorted  to  for  the  pro- 
tection and  safety  of  the  country,  it  will  be  excused,  ap- 
proved, nav,  even  commended:  nor  will  the  act  be  punish, 
ed,  unless  some  victim  to  it  should  chance  to  sit  m  judg- 
ment. .  .  r.  .    , 

Much   as  has  been  said  of  this  declaration  of  martial 


CHAPTER  XI.  265 

law,  and  greatly  as  it  has  been  complained  of,  yet  is  it  dif- 
ficult to  conceive  what  other  course  for  safety  could,  with 
equal  effect,  have  been  resorted  to.  None  can  seriously 
entertain  a  belief,  under  all  the  circumstances,  that  impe- 
rious necessity  and  the  situation  of  the  country,  did  not 
demand  the  introduction  of  some  similar,  if  not  precisely- 
such  a  measure.  Although  so  much  has  been  said  and 
Avritten  of  this  imputed  aggression  on  the  rights  of  the 
citizen;  and,  although  it  has  so  often  been  denounced  as  a 
high  handed  act  of  outrage,  yet  when  the  measure  itself, 
and  all  its  incidents  are  fully  examined,  nothing  of  oppres- 
sion or  injustice  can  be  traced.  Jackson  alone  was  the 
sufferer;  he  suffered  by  the  fine  imposed,  and  by  torrents 
of  abuse,  vrhich  ever  since  have  been  lavishly  poured  upon 
him.  A  member  of  the  legislature,  who  had  not  merely 
attempted,  but  in  fact  succeeded  in  exciting  mutiny  and 
insubordination  in  the  army,  when  in  the  very  face  of  an 
enemy,  and  the  arrest  of  the  judge,  who,  by  a  too  offi- 
cious interference,  seemed  to  stand  forth  a  participant  in 
the  offence,  constitutes  the  whole  of  what  took  place  un- 
der the  declaration  of  martial  lavr.  Judge  Hail  was  not 
imprisoned;  it  was  simj^ly  an  arrest.  During  the  siege, 
he  had  absented  himself  from  the  city,  and  gone  to  Baton 
Rouge.  He  had  afforded  neither  by  example  or  advice, 
any  assistance  to  our  cause,  while  the  enemy  was  present; 
but  had  retired  on  the  first  appearance  of  danger,  nor  re- 
turned until  it  had  disappeared.  Whether  they  would  re- 
appear, and  where,  could  not  be  told;  and  hence,  what- 
ever necessity  may  have  induced  the  declaration,  that  same 
necessity  imperiously  demanded  its  continuance.  On  his 
arrest,  he  was  merely  sent  to  a  distance,  and  placed  at 
liberty  under  an  order  containing  no  other  restriction,  than 
that  he  should  not  approach  the  city  nearer  than  twelve 
miles. 

Louaillier,  on  being  arrested,  was  brought  before  a 
court-martial,  of  v/hich  General  Gaines  was  president, 
charged  under  the  second  section  of  the  rules  and  articles 
of  war,  as  one  "owing  allegiance  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  found  lurking  as  a  spy  about  the  encamp- 
ment:" for  the  reason,  ho-vvever,  that  the  inflammatory  and 
mutinous  publication  which  had  occasioned  his  arrest, 
could  not  be  shown  to  have  been  conveyed  to  the  enemy, 
he  was  acquitted — the  quo  animo  being  from  this  circum- 
stance in  the  proof  not  sufficiently  apparent.  That  none 
z 


266  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

might  be  uninformed  of  the  law,  the  following  official  no- 
tice had  been  circulated  through  the  public  journals. 

Head  Quarters  7  th  Military  District, 
Sect.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  in  time  of  war, 
all  persons  riot  citizem  of,  or  owing  allegiance  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  of  America,  who  shall  be  found  lurking  as 
spies  in  or  about  the  fortifications  or  encampments  of  the 
armies  of  the  United  States,  or  any  of  them,  shall  suffer 
death,  according  to  the  law  and  usage  of  nations,  by  sen- 
tence of  a  general  court-martial. 

The  city  of  New  Orleans  and  its  environs  being  under 
martial  law,  and  the  several  encampments  and  fortifica- 
tions within  its  limits,  it  is  necessary  to  give  publicity  to 
the  above  section  for  the  information  of  all  concerned. 
By  command. 

Robert  Butler,  Mjutant- General. 

Conversing  with  General  Jackson,  once,  concerning  the 
declaration  of  martial  law,  he  expressed  himself  after  the 
following  manner.  ''  I  very  well  knew  the  extent  of  my 
powers,  and  that  it  was  far  short  of  that  which  necessity 
and  my  situation  required.  I  determined,  therefore,  to 
venture  boldly,  and  pursue  a  course  correspondent  to  the 
difficulties  that  pressed  upon  me.  I  had  an  anxious  soli- 
citude to  wipe  off  the  stigma  cast  upon  my  country  by  the 
destruction  of  the  capital.  If  New  Orleans  were  taken, 
I  well  knew  that  new  difficulties  would  arise,  and  every 
effort  be  made  to  retain  it;  and  that  if  regained,  blood  and 
treasure  would  be  the  sacrifice.  My  determination,  there- 
fore, was  formed,  not  to  halt  at  trifles,  but  to  lose  the  city 
only  at  the  boldest  sacrifice;  and  to  omit  nothing  that 
could  assure  success.  I  was  well  aware  that  calculating 
politicians,  ignorant  of  the  difficulties  that  surrounded 
me,  would  condemn  my  course;  but  this  was  not  material. 
What  became  of  me,  was  of  no  consequence.  If  disaster 
did  come,  I  expected  not  to  survive  it;  but  if  a  successful 
defence  could  be  made,  I  felt  assured  that  my  country,  in 
the  objects  attained,  would  lose  sight  of,  and  forget  the 
means  that  had  been  employed.'' 

The  war  being  now  ended,  it  was  indispensable  to  has- 
ten the  necessary  arrangements  to  relieve  from  the  toils  of 
the  field  those  brave  men  who  had  so  long  been  struggling 
in  their  country's  defence.     The  necessary  measures  to 


CHAPTER  XI.  267 

effect  this  were  adopted.  The  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  and 
Mississippi  troops  had  taken  their  departure.  General 
Gaines  being  invested  with  the  command,  in  a  few  days 
General  Jackson  left  New  Orleans  for  Nashville.  The 
friendship  and  good  wishes  of  the  people  followed  him: 
there  were  a  few,  however,  who  rejoiced  at  his  departure; 
but  they  were  those,  v/ho,  in  moments  of  peril,  had  stood 
aloof  from  danger,  or  sought  to  increase  it;  and  who,  in 
the  censures  to  be  cast  upon  him,  expected  to  palliate 
their  own  misdeeds.  They  had  no  unpleasant  sensations 
at  being  relieved  from  the  presence  of  one  who,  they  be- 
lieved was  fully  acquainted  with  the  abandoned  course  they 
had  pursued :  but  the  great  body  of  the  citizens,  mindful  of 
his  vigilance,  and  of  the  weighty  privations  he  had  en- 
countered for  their  safety  and  protection,  fondly  cherished 
a  recollection  of  what  he  had  done,  and  felt  every  grati- 
tude towards  him.  Previously  to  breaking  up  his  encamp- 
ment, he  addressed  his  army,  and  declared  the  high  sense 
he  entertained  of  those  valiant  men,  who,  with  him  had 
toiled  in  the  field,  and  who,  by  perseverance  and  fidelity, 
had  obtained  safety  for  their  country,  and  distinguished 
honour  for  themselves.* 

On  his  return,  the  respect  of  all  was  manifested  in  his 
behalf; — all  evinced  a  partiality  for  the  man  whose  signal 
achievements  had  raised  his  country  to  a  high  and  digni- 
fied standing,  and  whose  unremitting  exertions  had  closed 
the  war  with  a  lustre  that  enlightened  even  the  cloud  of 
its  commencement  He  carried  with  him  a  conscious- 
ness of  having  discharged  his  duty;  and  although,  from 
necessity,  he  had  been  compelled  to  the  exercise  of  a  rigid 
severity,  which  he  would  gladly  have  avoided,  yet  now, 
when  feeling  was  lulled,  and  danger  past,  he  beheld  no- 
thing to  excite  regret  or  convince  him  he  was  wrong. 
If,  however,  he  could  before  have  doubted,  this  general 
manifestation  of  public  regard  was  sufficient  to  quiet  his 
apprehensions.  The  citizens  of  the  United  States  were 
yet  too  virtuous,  merely  because  of  his  battle  achieve- 
ments, to  bestow  such  unqualified  approbation,  could  they 
have  believed,  that,  when  invested  with  power,  he  had 
wantonly  trampled  on  the  rights  of  individuals,  and  out- 
raged the  sacred  principles  of  the  constitution :  and  yet 
this  approval  of  his  conduct  was  evinced  not  onlv  bv  the 

•  See  note  G. 


26S  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

citizens  of  the  country  where  he  passed,  but  by  congress, 
and  the  legislatures  of  different  states — all  bore  testimony 
to  the  propriety  of  his  measures,  by  the  commendations 
and  approvals  which  were  bestowed. 

The  annunciation  of  the  triumphant  defence  of  New 
Orleans,  was,  in  every  section  of  the  country,  hailed  with 
acclamation;  in  all  our  cities  and  principal  towns,  illumi- 
nations and  fetes  followed;  and  in  all  was  it  agreed,  that 
by  none  other,  than  the  decided  course  adopted  by  Jackson, 
could  so  auspicious  a  result  have  been  attained.  The 
legislatures  of  many  of  the  states  voted  their  approbation 
and  thanks  for  what  he  had  done.  The  congress  of  the 
United  States  did  the  same,  and  directed  a  gold  medal  to 
be  presented  to  him,  commemorative  of  the  event  Ad- 
dresses from  numerous  societies  and  meetings  of  the  people 
were  forwarded,  expressive  of  their  great  regard,  and 
proclaiming  him  the  deliverer  and  second  saviour  of  the 
country. 

A  tedious  journey  of  eight  hundred  miles  brought  him 
to  Nashville,  where  he  was  gratified  with  a  further  evi- 
dence of  a  people's  regard.  An  immense  concourse  was 
collected,  to  greet  his  return,  and  welcome  his  arrival. 
They  had  long  known  him  as  among  the  number  of  their 
best  and  most  respectable  citizens;  but  curiosity  had  a  new 
incentive:  until  now,  they  had  not  beheld  him  as  one,  who, 
to  protect  his  country,  knew  no  difficulty  too  great  to  be 
encountered — Avho,  by  his  firmness  and  unconquerable 
perseverance,  amidst  surrounding  dangers,  had  shielded 
and  saved  her  from  foreign  and  intestine  foes.  An  address, 
previously  prepared,  and  delivered  at  the  court-room,  in 
behalf  of  the  citizens,  welcomed  his  return.  Relieved 
from  this  further  display  of  public  confidence,  the  more 
grateful,  because  proceeding  from  those  who  were  his 
acquaintances,  neighbours,  and  friends,  he  retired  home, 
to  repair  a  broken  constitution,  and  to  enjoy  that  repose, 
to  which,  for  eighteen  months,  he  had  been  a  stranger. 

In  the  person  of  General  Jackson  is  perceived  nothing 
of  the  robust  or  elegant.  He  is  six  feet  and  an  inch  high, 
remarkably  straight  and  spare,  and  weighs  not  more  than 
a  hundred  forty-five  pounds.  His  conformation  appears 
to  disqualify  him  for  hardship;  yet,  accustomed  to  it  from 
early  life,  few  are  capable  of  enduring  fatigue  to  the  same 
extent,  or  with  less  injury.  His  dark  blue  eyes,  with 
brows  arched  and  slightly  projecting,  possess  a  marked 


CHAPTER  XI.  269 

expression;  "but  when,  from  any  cause,  excited,  they  spar- 
kle with  peculiar  lustre  and  penetration.  In  his  manners 
he  is  pleasing^— in  his  address  commanding;  while  his 
countenance,  marked  with  firmness  and  decision,  beams 
with  a  strength  and  intelligence  that  strikes  at  first  sight. 
In  his  deportment,  there  is  nothing  repulsive.  Easy,  affa- 
ble, and  familiar,  he  is  open  and  accessible  to  all.  Influ- 
enced by  the  belief,  that  merit  should  constitute  the  only 
difference  in  men,  his  attention  is  equally  bestowed  on 
honest  poverty  as  on  titled  consequence.  No  man,  how- 
ever inconsiderable  his  standing,  ever  approached  him  on 
business,  that  he  did  not  patiently  listen  to  his  story,  and 
afford  him  all  the  information  in  his  power.  His  moral 
character  is  without  reproach,  and  by  those  who  know 
him  most  intimately,  he  is  most  esteemed.  With  him  be- 
nevolence is  a  prominent  virtue.  He  was  never  known  to 
pass  distress  without  seeking  to  assist  and  to  relieve  it. 

It  is  imputed  to  him,  that  he  derives  from  his  birth  a 
temper  irritable  and  hasty,  which  has  had  the  effect  to 
create  enemies,  and  involve  him  in  disputes.  In  a  world 
like  this,  exemption  from  fault  is  not  to  be  expected;  to  a 
higher  destiny  is  perfection  reserved!  For  purposes  wiser 
than  man  can  conjecture,  has  it  been  ordained,  that  vice 
and  virtue  shall  exist  together  in  the  human  breast,  tending 
like  the  happy  blending  of  light  and  shade  in  a  picture,  to 
reflect  each  other  in  brighter  contrast.  Some  of  the 
foibles  and  imperfections  therefore,  which  heaven  mingles 
in  the  composition  of  man,  are  to  be  looked  for,  and  must 
be  found  with  every  one.  In  Jackson,  however,  those 
defects  of  character  exist  to  an  extent  limited  as  with  most 
~men;  and  the  world  is  in  error  in  presuming  him  under  a 
too  high  control  of  feeling  and  passion.  A  fixed  devotion 
to  those  principles  which  honour  sanctions,  peculiarly 
attaches  to  him,  and  renders  him  scrupulously  attentive  to 
his  promises  and  engagements  of  every  description.  Pre- 
serving system  in  his  transactions,  his  fiscal  arrangements 
are  made  to  correspond  with  his  resources,  and  hence  his 
every  engagement  in  relation  to  such  subjects,  is  met  with 
marked  punctuality,  not  for  the  reason  that  he  is  a  man  of 
extraordinary  wealth,  but  rather,  because  he  has  method, 
and  with  a  view  to  his  resources,  regulates  properly  his 
balance  of  trade. 

No  man  has   been   more   misconceived  in  character. 
Many  on  becoming  accuainted  with  him  have  been  heard 
z  2 


270  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

to  admit  the  previous  opinions  which  they  had«entertained, 
and  to  admit  how  great  had  been  their  mistake.  Rough 
in  appearance— ^positive  and  overbearing  in  his  manner, 
are  what  all  upon  a  first  introduction  expect  to  find;  and 
yet  none  are  possessed  of  milder  manners,  or  of  more  con- 
ciliating address.  The  public  situations  in  which  he  has 
been  placed,  and  the  circumstances  which  surrounded  him, 
are  doubtless  the  cause  that  those  opinions  have  become 
so  prevalent;  but  they  are  opinions  which  an  acquaintance 
with  him  tends  speedily  to  remove.  The  difficulties  and 
embarrassments  under  which  he  laboured  at  New  Orleans, 
were  such  as  might  well  have  perplexed,  and  thrown  the 
mind  aside  from  every  thing  of  mildness.  Arms  and  am- 
munition were  wanted;  the  country  was  in  an  unprepared 
and  defenceless  situation:  whatever  could  be  done  was  to 
be  decided  on  promptly,  and  executed  speedily.  Mutiny, 
through  designing  men  was  introduced,  and  disaffection 
stalked  about.  Night  or  day  there  was  no  respite  from 
duties  of  the  most  important  and  responsible  kind;  and 
yet,  under  all  these  circumstances,  embarrassing  as  they 
were,  the  evidence  of  temper  and  impropriety  charged  by 
his  enemies,  to  use  their  own  language,  is,  that  he  turned 
the  legislature  out  of  doors,  and  arrested  and  detained  one 
of  its  members,  with  the  judge  who  interposed  for  his 
relief.* 

If  it  be  true,  that  his  principles  and  sentiments  on  some 
subjects,  be  at  variance  with  those  practised  upon,  and 
deemed  correct  by  others,  it  is  the  effect  of  education,  and 
of  early  impressions  upon  his  mind,  by  which  a  particular 
bent  has  been  produced.  Speaking  once  of  his  mother, 
he  observed,  "  one  of  the  last  injunctions  given  me  by  her, 
was  never  to  institute  a  suit  for  assault  and  battery,  or  for 
defamation;  never  to  wound  the  feelings  of  others,  nor 
suffer  my  own  to  be  outraged;  these  were  her  words  of 
admonition  to  mie;  I  remember  them  well,  and  have  never 
failed  to  respect  them;  my  settled  course  through  life  has 
been,  to  bear  them  in  mind,  and  never  to  insult  or  wantonly 
to  assail  the  feelings  of  any  one;  and  yet  many  conceive 
me  to  be  a  most  ferocious  animal,  insensible  to  moral  duty, 
and  regardless  of  the  laws  both  of  God  and  man.'' 

Controlled  by  a  rule  so  golden,  as  always  to  respect  the 

*  See  the  circumstances  of  this  transaction  and  refutation  of  the 
charge,  at  page  210. 


CHAPTER    XI.  271 

feelings  of  others,  mankind  would  doubtless  seldom  err, 
and  seldom  would  disputes  and  differences  in  society  arise- 
It  is  a  misfortune,  however,  incident  to  the  very  nature  of 
man,  occasionally  to  be  under  the  influence  of  excitement; 
and  then  error  of  conclusion  may  be  the  consequence. 
Wise  is  the  man,  peculiarly  blest,  and  greatly  to  be  envied, 
who,  in  every  situation,  before  he  acts,  can  deliberately 
think,  and  correctly  determine.  It  was  this  received  im- 
pression respecting  General  Jackson,  which,  on  his  entering 
the  army,  induced  many  to  fear  he  would  prove  too  rash 
for  a  safe  commander;  that  occasions  might  arise,  when 
he  would  suffer  his  judgment  to  be  estranged,  through  an 
improper  exercise  of  feeling.  Events  early  proved  the 
fallacy  of  the  conjecture,  and  showed  that  there  were  none 
who  reasoned  more  dispassionately  on  the  fitness  and  pro- 
priety of  measures, — none  more  cautious  where  caution 
was  necessary,  or  more  adventurous,  when  daring  efforts 
were  required.  Few  Generals  had  ever  to  seek  for  order, 
amidst  a  higher  state  of  confusion,  or  obtained  success 
through  more  pressing  difficulties.  The  effects  he  pro- 
duced, under  circumstances  gloomy  and  inauspicious — 
now  through  his  eloquence  and  persuasion,  and  again  by 
his  firmness,  portrays  a  character  for  decision,  and  a  mind 
intimate  and  familiar  with  human  nature.  That  the  hire- 
ling soldier,  prodigal  of  life,  because  his  sovereign  orders 
it,  should  entertain  respect  for  his  commander,  is  too  conv- 
monly  the  case  to  excite  surprise:  of  such  materials,  Gen- 
eral Jackson's  army  was  not  composed;  they  were  freemen, 
-—citizens;  yet,  with  the  exception  of  those  who  abandoned 
him  in  his  first  advance  against  the  Indians,  there  was 
scarcely  one  in  his  ranks,  officer  or  soldier,  that  was  not 
particularly  and  warmly  attached  to  him;  ready  to  serve 
him  under  any  and  all  circumstances.  The  best  evidence 
of  private  worth,  is  to  be  derived  from  those  who  knov/ 
us  most  intimately, — from  our  acquaintances  and  neigh- 
bours, those  who  see  and  know  us,  stripped  of  that  conceal- 
ment which  surrounds  character  when  surveyed  at  a  dis- 
tance. Tested  by  this  rule.  General  Jackson  stands  well, 
for  by.  those  who  know  him  most  intimately  he  is  most 
esteemed. 

Light  and  trifling  pleasantries  often  mark  character  as 
distinctly  as  things  of  consequence.  General  Jackson  one 
day  during  the  siege  of  New  Orleans,  was  approached  by 
a  subordinate  officer  of  the  militia,  who  stated  his  desire 


272  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON*. 

to  leave  the  service,  and  return  home;  for  that  he  was  made 
game  of^  and  was  called  by  the  company  Pewter  Foot.  He 
manifested  great  concern,  and  an  anxious  desire  to  be  re- 
lieved from  his  unpleasant  situation.  The  General,  with 
much  apparent  sympathy  for  him,  replied,  that  he  had  as- 
certained there  was  a  practice  in  the  camp  of  giving  nick- 
names: and  had  understood  that  very  many  had  dared  to 
call  him  Old  Hickory:  now,  said  he,  if  you  prefer  mine,  I 
am  willing  to  exchange;  if  not,  remain  contented,  and 
perform  your  duty  faithfully,  and  as  spon  as  we  can  get 
clear  of  those  troublesome  British,  our  wrongs  shall  be 
inquired  into,  and  the  authors  punished :  for  then,  and  not 
till  then,  shall  we  have  an  end  of  those  insults.  The 
effect  was  happy,  and  induced  the  complaining  officer  to 
retire,  perfectly  satisfied  to  learn,  that  his  grievance  would 
be  united  with  the  General's,  and  both  presently  effectually 
be  redressed. 

General  Jackson  possesses  ambition,  but  it  rests  on  vir- 
tue; an  ambition,  which,  regulated  by  a  high  sense  of 
honourable  feeling,  leads  him  to  desire  *'  that  applause 
which  follows  good  actions — not  that  which  is  run  after." 
No  man  is  more  ready  to  hear  and  to  respect  the  opinions 
of  others;  and  none  where  much  is  at  stake,  and  at  con- 
flict with  his  own/ less  disposed  to  be  under  their  influ- 
ence. He  has  never  been  known  to  call  a  council  of  war, 
whose  decisions,  when  made,  should  shield  him  from  re- 
sponsibility or  censure.  His  council  of  war,  if  doubting 
himself,  was  a  few  officers  in  whom  he  fully  confided, 
whose  advice  was  regarded,  if  their  reasons  were  conclu- 
sive; but  these  not  being  satisfactory,  he  at  once  adopted 
and  pursued  the  course  suggested  by  his  own  mind. 

Much  as  we  may  delight  to  range  through  the  field  of 
battle,  in  quest  of  acts,  to  fix  a  hero's  character,  yet  in- 
considerable circumstances  oftentimes  mark  it  more  dis- 
tinctly; it  is  then  that  the  mind,  retiring  from  every  thing 
like  motive,  gives  a  loose  to  impulse,  and  acts  from  feel- 
ing. The  General,  who  meets  and  repels  his  country's 
foes,  is  not  unfrequently  impelled  by  ambition,  and  the 
recollection  that  a  nation's  gratitude  may  succeed  his 
efforts:  but  when,  amidst  the  battle's  carnage,  he  is  seen 
acting  as  a  christian,  and  sympathizing  in  others'  woes, 
his  character  is  marked  by  virtue,  and  more  truly  enno- 
bled. At  Tohopeka,  an  infant  was  found,  pressed  to  the 
bosom  of  its  lifeless  mother.     This  circumstance  being 


CHAFFER   XI.  273 

communicated  to  General  Jackson,  he  became  interested 
for  the  child,  directed  it  to  be  brought  to  him,  and  sought 
to  prevail  on  some  of  the  Indian  women  to  take  care  of 
and  rear  it.  They  signified  their  unwillingness  to  do  so, 
stating  that,  inasmuch  as  all  its  relations  had  fallen  m 
battle,  they  thought  it  best,  and  would  prefer,  it  should  be 
killed.  The  General,  after  this  disclosure,  determined  he 
would  not  entrust  it  with  them,  but  would  become  himselt 
the  protector  and  guardian  of  the  child.  Bestowmg  on 
the  infant  the  name  of  Lincoier,  he  adopted  it  into  his 
family,  and  has  ever  since  manifested  the  liveliest  zeal  to- 
wards it,  prompted  by  benevolence,  and  because,  perhaps, 
its  fate  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  his  ovvn,  who,  m  early 
life,  and  from  the  ravages  of  war,  was  left  in  the  world, 
forlorn  and  wretched,  without  friends  to  assist,  or  near  re- 
lations to  direct  him  on  his  course. 

Of  the  two  great  parties,  which  have  distracted  our 
country.  General  Jackson  is  attached  to  the  republican. 
In  his  first  political  career,  he  rallied  on  the  side  of  the 
people  During  Mr.  Adams'  administration,  when  the 
party  was  few '  and  inconsiderable,  he  appeared  on  the 
side  of  the  rights  of  man,  espousing  and  advocating  the 
principles  of  tolerance  and  free  will;  until  disgusted  with 
the  mode  of  administering  the  government,  he  retired 
from  the  legislative  councils  of  the  nation.  He  is  not, 
however,  one  of  those  blind  infatuated  parUzans,  who 
holds  the  opinion  of  others  in  derision,  and  determines 
on  the  good  or  bad  qualities  of  a  man,  according  as  he 
belongs  to  this  or  the  other  political  sect;  but  influenced 
by  higher  and  nobler  sentiments,  acts  on  the  liberal  prmci* 

pie,  that 

"  Honour  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise, 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honour  lies--     ^^ 

Worth  makes  the  man,  and  want  of  it  the  fellow. 

Could  such  sentiments  be  generally  diffused,  of  what 
importance  would  they  not  prove  to  our  country  .We  are 
aware  of  the  opinion  entertained  by  many  wise  pohticians, 
that  parties,  by  acting  as  spies  on,  and  correctors  ot,  each 
other's  conduct,  more  effectually  ensure  a  nation  s  safety 
Such  an  idea  may  answer  in  a  country  where  individuals 
rights  are  merged  in  the  exaltation  of  a  few,  and  ^vllere  the 
contest  is  for  the  loaves  and  fishes,  and  not  m  relation  to 


274  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

honest  differences  of  opinion;  but  in  ours,  whose  govern- 
ment is  derived  from  the  people,  and  where  law  is,  or 
should  be,  the  paramount  rule,  so  long  as  we  may  continue 
virtuous  and  intelligent,  and  duly  appreciate  our  rights,  no 
such  auxiliary  can  be  essential,  either  for  happiness  or 
tranquillity.  Already  have  we  witnessed  innumerable 
evils  to  spring  from  the  acerbity  and  intemperance  of  par- 
ty: but  for  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  a  designing 
power,  which  through  our  dissensions  and  domestic  broils, 
believed  she  would  be  able  seriously  to  affect  us,  we  might 
have  remained  at  peace,  and  preserved  the  lives  of  many 
a  valuable  citizen. 

That  there  should  be  a  contrariety  of  opinion  among 
us,  is  certainly  nothing  remarkable:  it  is  only  in  govern- 
ments absolutely  despotic,  that  the  oppressed  and  trem- 
bling subject  imbibes  the  sentiments  of  the  sovereign  and 
his  ministers,  and  appears  to  think  with  them,  for  the 
reason  that  he  dare  not  assert  his  own  opinions.  Our  con- 
stitution, on  this  subject,  bars  every  check,  and  leaves  our 
conduct,  words,  and  actions,  free;  yet,  were  our  prudence 
consulted  and  regarded,  it  would  long  since  have  told  us, 
that  party  rancour  was  carried  too  far,  for  our  own,  and 
the  honour  of  our  country.  We  are  far,  however,  from 
assenting  to  what  is  often  urged,  that  it  is  a  circumstance 
whence  foreign  powers  will  be  ever  able  to  derive  an  ad- 
vantage, by  which  materially  to  endanger  our  rights. 
Although  we  may  differ,  as  to  the  best  mode  of  adminis- 
tering the  government,  a  circumstance  which  happens  to 
all  countries  in  proportion  as  liberty  is  enjoyed;  and  al- 
though, as  has  been  the  case,  party  may  be  pressed  beyond 
the  bounds  where  reason  or  prudence  should  give  sanction, 
yet  against  the  invaders  of  our  rights,  our  union  will  prove 
strong,  and  all  parties  be  the  same.  Should  the  period 
ever  arrive,  when  our  nation  shall  be  vitally  assailed,  it 
will  be  perceived  that  all  advantages  calculated  to  arise 
from  our  jarrings  are  delusive;  that  then  there  will  be  but 
one  party,  all  rallied  in  defence  of  a  country  believed  by 
them  to  be  the  freest  and  happiest  in  the  world,  resolved 
to  swim  or  sink  together.  It  is  very  true,  that  the  history 
of  the  late  war  presents  some  melancholy  facts,  at  variance 
with  this  opinion;  but  such  has  been  the  odium  and  just 
indignation  of  the  country  towards  its  actors,  that  any 
future  recurrence  of  such  acts  should  not  be  anticipated. 
Involved  in  war,  every  citizen  of  the  country  is  bound  in 


CHAPTER  XI.  275 

some  form  or  other,  to  yield  assistance,  and  steadily  to 
maintain  it;  and  that  man,  or  combination  of  men,  who, 
in  such  a  time  of  peril,  shall  stand  opposed  to  the  consti- 
tuted authorities,  in  any  other  manner  than  the  constitu- 
tion authorizes,  should  be  considered  the  enemy,  or  at 
least,  not  the  friend  of  the  country. 

The  proclamations  disseminated  by  Great  Britain  dur- 
ing the  war,  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  were  an 
insult  to  our  understandings,  and  a  reflection  on  her  own. 
The  divisions  she  saw  prevailing  among  us,  were,  no  doubt, 
the  inducement.  If  ever  there  was  a  time,  when  she 
could  have  even  partially  effected  the  disorganization  she 
so  industriously  endeavoured  to  foment,  and  reached  us 
through  our  differences,  it  was  befoi'e  she  had,  by  an  unu- 
sual, unpractised  system  of  warfare,  destroyed  all  confi- 
dence, and  excited  our  just  indignation  against  her;  and 
before  she  had  aided  to  subvert  the  liberty  of  France, 
and  plunge  her  in  a  state  of  absolute  vassalage.  When 
such  an  example,  with  all  its  wretched  and  fatal  conse- 
quences, is  held  up  to  view,  well  should  a  warning  voice 
teach  nations  to  spurn  every  external  interference,  how- 
ever plausibly  it  may  be  offered. 

The  principles  of  our  government  are  at  opposition 
with  war — those  of  her  citizens  no  less  so.  If,  amidst  the 
general  confusion  of  the  world,  we  were  forced  into  a 
struggle,  let  it  be  remembered,  it  was  for  the  preservation 
of  our  rights,  and  to  resist  aggressions  which  had  become 
too  numerous  and  grievous  to  be  longer  borne.  With  na- 
tions, as  with  individuals,  a  submission  to  insult  serves 
but  to  authorize  a  repetition;  and  forbearance  under  inju- 
ries is  frequently  construed  into  an  inability  to  redress 
them.  We  boast  not  of  any  thing  acquired  by  our  con- 
test. Conquest  and  power  were  not  the  inducements  to 
its  commencement:  what  was  sought,  has  been  attained. 
We  have  evinced  a  determination  not  to  submit  to  repeat- 
ed wrongs,  and  secured  from  other  nations  that  respect 
which  our  peaceful  habits  had  forfeited.  We  have  brought 
more  closely  into  view  our  strength,  and  our  resources; 
and  shown  our  enemies,  that  however  we  may  be  solici- 
tous for  peace,  and  'opposed  to  war,  there  is  a  point  where 
even  patience  ceases  to  be  a  virtue,  and  where  it  may 
become  exhausted.  But,  above  all,  our  contest  has  had 
the  eff*ect  of  drawing  closer  the  cords  of  our  union,  quiet- 
ing party  opposition,  and  allaying  discontents.     In  future, 


^76  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

therefore,  when  vauntingly  told  we  have  gained  nothing 
by  the  war,  laying  aside  all  minor  considerations,  we  will 
point  to  our  union,  which  it  has  more  strongly  and  indis- 
solubly  cemented,  as  a  matter  of  greater  importance  than 
any  thing  that  has  happened,  since  the  all-glorious  hour 
when  our  Independence  was  declared: — we  will  point  to 
the  deeds  performed  by  our  naval  and  military  chieftains. 

*♦  They  have  toiled,  and  in  their  country's  cause, 
Bled  nobly,  and  their  deeds  as  they  deserve 
Receive  proud  recompense.    We  give  in  charge, 
Their  names,  to  the  sweet  13're.    The  historic  muse, 
Proud  of  her  treasure,  marches  with  it  down 
To  latest  times?  and  sculpture  in  her  turn 
Gives  bond,  in.stone,  and  ever  during  brass. 
To  guard  them,  and  immortalize  her  trust." 


277 


BRIEF  CONTINUATION 

OF 

SEMINOLE  WAR, 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  General  Jackson's  desire  was 
to  retire  from  the  army,  that  he  might  retrieve  a  constitu- 
tion impaired  by  the  arduous  service  in  which  he  had  so 
constantly  been  engag-ed.  The  disasters  of  the  conflict, 
through  which  the  country  had  passed,  revived  a  recollec- 
tion of  that  wholesome  ancient  rule,  that  to  avoid  war,  a 
nation  should  be  prepared  for  it.  At  its  commencement, 
our  frontier  and  coast  exhibited  an  almost  guardless  front, 
without  protection,  either  to  the  commerce  of  the  coun- 
try, or  to  the  country  itself.  With  a  view  to  better  secu- 
rity, and  to  place  in  proper  attitudes,  the  essential  defen- 
ces, that  might  be  considered  material,  Mr.  Madison 
expressed  a  desire  that  General  Jackson  would  yet  con- 
tinue in  the  army;  he  consented  reluctantly  to  do  so,  deter- 
mining, the  interest  of  the  country  considered,  to  avail 
himself  of  the  earliest  opportunity  to  leave  the  service, 
and  again  retire  into  private  life. 

In  March  1817,  Mr.  Monroe,  between  whom  and  Ge- 
neral Jackson,  strong  friendship  existed,  and  v»ho  recent- 
ly were  more  closely  cemented,  from  the  circumstance 
that  they  had  acted  together  during  the  arduous  struggle 
which  had  just  passed,  became  chief  magistrate  of  the 
United  States.  He  was  desirous,  and  expressed  to  the 
General  a  wish  that  he  should  become  a  member  of  his 
cabinet,  and  at  large,  solicited  his  opinion  as  to  the  per- 
sons who  should  compose  it.  The  advice  asked  was  freely 
given,  but  the  proffered  situation  to  the  cabinet  declined. 
Their  correspondence  on  the  subject,  altogether  private 
and  confident,  for  particular  reasons  already  known,  was 
A  a 


278  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON 

drawn  before  the  public  in  1824.  It  proved  not  only  curi- 
ous, but  interesting,  as  well  in  reference  to  men  as  mea- 
sures; Mr.  Monroe  insisting,  that  a  portion  of  the  fede- 
ralists in  the  early  history  of  the  country,  were  monarchical 
in  their  precepts,  and  General  Jackson  maintaining  that 
those  of  them  who  had  stepped  fortli  during  the  war,  to 
maintain  the  country  by  their  acts,  or  to  fight  her  battles, 
deserved  to  be  considered  in  the  light  of  friends  and 
patriots;  but  that  those  fireside  patriots,  who  brawled  in 
lavour  of  liberty,  without  ever  making  an  effort  to  sustain 
her  cause,  no  matter  by  what  name  they  were  called,  de- 
served to  be  distrusted.  Subsequent  to  this,  the  appoint- 
ment of  minister  to  Mexico,  was  with  the  unanimous 
consent  of  the  senate,  tendered  to  Jackson;  this  he  also 
declined,  for  the  reason  stated  by  himself,  that  he  would  not 
by  his  presence  at  the  court  of  the  Emperor  Iturbide,  con- 
tribute to  the  countenance  and  support  of  one,  whom  he 
looked  to  as  the  usurper  of  his  country's  rights  and  liberty. 

Actively  engaged  during  this  period,  in  general  superin- 
tendence of  the  frontiers — in  selecting  suitable  positions 
for  defence,  and  negotiating,  under  orders  of  the  govern- 
ment, arrangements  and  treaties  with  different  Indian 
tribes,  for  the  general  purpose  of  security  and  safety,  he 
was  again  in  the  winter  of  1817,  called  upon  for  active 
enterprise,  and  again  required  to  take  the  field. 

The  termination  of  the  Creek  v/ar,  a  contest  in  which 
that  nation  had  been  greatly  divided,  found  many  of  the 
hostile  party,  who  though  subdued  and  conquered,  were 
yet  unwilling  to  abide  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  con- 
cluded at  Fort  Jackson,  in  August,  1814.  Repugnant 
to  its  stipulations,  and  to  its  provisions,  to  which  they 
were  not  parties,  they  had  betaken  themselves  into  the 
territory  of  Spain,  (Florida)  where  with  the  Seminole 
tribe,  they  remained  without  the  limits  of  their  own  nation, 
and  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  harmless,  though 
dissatisfied,  and  anxiously  disposed  to  mischief  and  war. 
Secret  and  sudden  inroads  upon  our  frontier,  and  occasion- 
ally, the  murdering  of  an  inhabitant  along  the  southern 
line  of  Georgia,  were  practised,  until,  from  a  want  of  no- 
tice and  adequate  opposition,  bolder  confidence  in  them- 
selves, and  in  their  prowess,  was  inspired. 

At  length.  General  Jackson  was  directed  to  take  the 
field,  and  an  order  from  the  department  of  war,  contain- 
ing full,  ample  and  general  powers,  was  issued.   In  it  was 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  279 

no  restriction,  no  limitation;  he  was  commanded  to  ad- 
vance agains^t,  and  punish  the  enemy,  for  the  wanton,  un- 
provoked offences  they  had  practised;  and  to  bring  the 
war  to  a  speedy  termination.  The  cruelties  of  these  In- 
dians were  of  marked  and  vengeful  character:  beneath 
their  murderous  propensity,  women,  and  even  children, 
had  fallen,  after  the  most  savage  and  brutal  manner.  The 
provincial  authorities  of  Spain  had  not  interposed  to  pre- 
vent or  restrain  their  cruelties,  but  within  the  limits  of 
Florida,  uninterruptedly,  had  suffered  English  traders, 
now,  as  formerly,  to  minister  to  their  propensities,  and 
to  excite  them  to  rapine  and  murder. 

During  the  war,  a  number  of  negroes,  fugitives  from 
the  southern  states,  had  taken  refuge  in  Florida;  and  at  its 
termination,  through  the  aid  of  Nicholls  and  Woodbine^ 
were  left  in  possession  of  a  strong  and  well  supplied  fort 
on  the  Apalachacola  river.  The  discontent  and  resent- 
ment of  the  Indians  had  been  aroused  through  informa- 
tion pressed  upon  them,  by  these,  and  other  British  agents, 
that  in  the  concluded  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  stipulations  were  contained  for 
a  surrender  of  their  lands,  as  they  had  remained  anterior 
to  the  war.  The  fort  thus  established  by  these  emissa- 
ries, had,  in  1816,  by  an  American  vessel,  been  destroyed, 
and  the  negroes  dispersed,  who  there  had  been  protected 
and  supplied;  but  the  discontent  seen  among  the  savages, 
was  yet  kept  alive,  which  in  the  end  resulted  in  open  rup- 
ture. Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister,  two  subjects  of  Great 
Britain,  were  the  exciters  and  instigators  of  the  distur- 
bances that  arose.  Either  from  inclination  to  encourage, 
or  inability  to  prevent  them,  the  Spanish  authorities  in 
Florida  gave  no  attention  to  the  excitement  produced 
within  the  province,  by  the  subjects  of  another  power; 
and  open  assault,  in  its  most  angry  forms,  was  presently 
the  consequence  of  that  inattention.  Emboldened  by 
persuasions  extended,  and  trusting  to  the  security  afford- 
ed, under  cover  of  a  neutral  territory,  they  ventured  upon 
the  execution  of  their  murderous  and  daring  deeds.  In 
addition  to  numerous  outrages  which  had  been  practised, 
a  public  boat  ascending  the  Apalachacola  river,  was  as- 
sailed, and  its  crew  inhumanly  butchered.  Seven  women 
who  were  along,  shared  the  fate  of  their  massacred  hus- 
bands, brothers  and  friends:  even  the  little  children  on 
board  found  nothing  of  pity  or  mercy;  but  taken  by  the 


280  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

heels,  were  beaten  and  bruised  to  death  against  the  sides 
of  the  captured  boat.  To  the  perpetrators  of  such  deeds 
of  outrage  and  horror,  what  was  there  of  mercy  due?  but 
little,  certainly,  and  less  indeed  to  any  civilized  man,  who 
had  excited  them  to  so  foul  a  perpetration.  Forbearance^ 
kindly  offerings,  and  entreaty  for  their  pacification,  had 
by  the  government  been  resorted  to  in  vain:  trusting  to 
the  fancied  security  afforded  from  their  position  in  a  neu- 
tral territory,  they  readily  believed  all  inroads  and  outrages 
on  our  borders  would  find  protection,  under  the  ideal  line, 
separating  the  territory  of  Spain  from  the  United  States, 

An  additional  circumstance  to  inspirit  them  in  the  be- 
lief they  entertained,  was,  what  already  their  own  obser- 
vation had  disclosed,  that  General  Gaines  had  not  ventured 
beyond  the  line  separating  Florida  from  the  United  States: 
that,  although  an  imaginary  boundary  was  looked  to  now, 
as  affording  in  their  favour  protection  and  safety,  while 
beyond  it,  at  pleasure,  their  own  inroads  and  incursions, 
might  uninterruptedly  be  prosecuted.  With  entertained 
impressions  like  these,  it  was  idle  to  expect  any  benefit  to 
result  from  the  operations  of  our  army.  So  General 
Gaines  considered,  and  so  he  found  it  to  be.  Acting  un- 
der orders,  which  from  courtesy  to  the  authorities  of 
Spain,  forbade  him  to  pass  beyond  the  limits  of  his  own 
country,  he  could  but  fold  his  arms,  and  hear  of  ag- 
gressions and  murders,  which  in  consequence  of  his  limit- 
ed and  restricted  powers,  were  beyond  his  ability  to  con- 
trol and  punish.  Of  all  this  the  government  was  apprized ; 
forbearance  had  abided  long  enough,  and  justice,  and 
even  mercy,  forbade  its  further  indulgent  exercise. 

At  this  moment,  and  under  these  circumstances,  the 
known  decision  and  efficiency  of  Jackson  was  looked  to, 
and  he  was  forthwith  commanded  to  the  field.  Whether 
the  restriction  imposed  on  General  Gaines  to  forbear  an 
advance  beyojid  the  limits  of  the  Spanish  territory,  was 
found  inutile,  or  that  the  discretion  of  Jackson,  under  all 
the  apprehended  circumstances  of  responsibility  and  dif- 
ficulty, was  conceived  essentially  to  be  relied  on,  does  not 
appear  material  to  inquiry:  at  any  rate,  the  limited  and 
restricted  orders  issued  to  the  one,  constituted  no  part  of 
the  command  directed  to  the  other.  Jackson,  with  a 
seeming  carte  blanche  from  the  department  of  war,  was 
required  to  proceed  against  the  Seminole  tribe  of  Indians 
—punish  them  for  the  wrongs  they  had  committed,  and 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  28  1 

bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  termination.  Authority  was  at 
the  same  time  extended,  to  call  out  such  portions  of  the 
militia  as  might  be  considered  necessary  to  the  contem- 
plated objects  of  the  campaign. 

The  promptitude  with  which  demands  upon  the  patriot- 
ism of  the  state  of  Tennessee  had  been  met,  induced  a 
belief  that  the  objectionable  and  tardy  process  by  draft, 
need  not  be  resorted  to:  accordingly,  with  consent  of  the 
governor,  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  citizens,  and  volun- 
teers solicited  to  appear.     A  general  order  was  issued, 
and  directly  the  required  number  came  forth,  when  ar- 
ranging and  appointing  their  officers,  they  were  presently 
in  a  situation  to  march  to  v/hatever  point  they  might  be 
ordered.      Solicitous  to  have  every  thing  ready  for  imme- 
diate operation,  the  General  in  advance,  hastened  to  the 
southern  borders  of  Georgia,  leaving  the  troops  thus  col- 
lected, to  be  moved  rapidly  to  Fort  Hawkins,  by  Colonel 
Hayne,  the  inspector  general.      Owing  to  the  scarcity  of 
provisions  and  forage  along  the  intended  route,  a  circui- 
tous course  became  necessary,  which  delayed  greatly  their 
arrival.      Solicitous  not  to  waste  time  unnecessarily,  the 
General,  with  the  remnant  of  regular  troops,  commanded 
by  Colonel  King,  and  nine  hundred  Georgia  militia,  de- 
termined   to    advance   upon   the    enemy,   and    endeavour 
speedily  to  conclude  the  war.      Supplies  were  scarce,  and 
with  difficulty  to  be  had;  he  was,  however,  one  of  those 
generals,  who,  for  a  course  like  this,  never  yet  had  stayed 
active  operations.   The  swamps  and  wilds  of  Florida  were 
before  him,  and  little  of  subsistence  was  to  be  procured 
from  the  wandering,  plundering  savages  that  were  there. 
Taking  such  partial  subsistence  as  the  post  at  Fort  Scott 
afforded,  consisting  of  only  three  days'  rations  of  meat, 
and  a  quart  of  Indian  corn  to  each   soldier,  the  9th  of 
March  he  took  up  the  line  of  advance,  on   a  calculation, 
that  by  pressing  througli  Florida,  he  might  fall  in  with 
those  provisions,  which  the  quarter  master.  Colonel  Gib- 
son, had   assured   him,  would,  on  the   12th  of  February, 
depart  from  New  Orleans.     With  this  very  limited  and 
scanty  allowance,  the  army  proceeded,  and  subsisted  until 
the  13th,  when  a  provision  boat  being  met  with,  afforded 
partial   relief. — ^"In  my  march  from  Fort  Early  to  Fort 
Scott,"  remarked  the  General,  "I  subsisted  my  troops  on 
ground  peas,  corn,  and  some  pork,  that  I  could  occasion- 
ally procure  of  the  Indians,  with  some  that  I  had  on  foot: 
A  a  2 


282  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

the  whole  subsistence  for  man  and  horse,  not  costing  five 
hundred  dollars." 

On  his  line  of  inarch,  he  was  united  with  by  some  ol 
the  Creek  warriors,  under  General  M*Intosh,  and  a  de- 
tachment of  the  Tennessee  troops,  commanded  by  Colo- 
nel Elliot;  and  on  the  same  day,  (1st  of  April,)  attacked 
one  of  their  principal  towns,  Mickasuckee,  where,  under 
cover  of  a  deep  and  impenetrable  morass,  were  embodied 
a  considerable  party  of  the  enemy.  A  spirited  resistance 
with  our  advanced  guards,  was  for  some  time  kept  up,  but 
coming  presently  in  contact  with  the  main  army,  the  In- 
dians precipitately  gave  way,  and  betook  themselves  for 
safety  to  the  morass,  where  pursuit  was  impracticable. 
Thus,  their  only  embodied  force  met  with,  being  encoun- 
tered and  dispersed,  and  the  town  destroyed,  the  army  ad- 
vanced upon  St.  Marks,  whither,  as  was  understood,  the 
enemy  had  retreated,  and  whence  also  it  was  understood, 
munitions  of  war,  and  supplies  by  the  enemy,  had  re- 
peatedly been  obtained. 

Here  were  found  evidences  of  that  murderous  spirit, 
which  had  impelled  forward  those  ignorant  and  misguided 
wretches: — Proceeding  under  their  own  savage  impulses, 
and  encouraged  jyy  the  persuasions  of  those,  who  being 
civilized  and  better  informed,  should  have  proven  much 
more  merciful  counsellors,  they  ventured  on  acts  open  and 
violent,  inconsiderate  and  cruel.  In  the  village  thus  des- 
troyed, were  found  the  freshly  torn  off  scalps  of  our  mur- 
dered citizens,  placed  for  the  purpose  of  being  dried  on  a 
red  pole,  the  symbolic  type  of  war :  more  than  three  hun- 
dred scalps,  the  bloody  badges  of  triumph  and  victorvt 
and  savage  distinction,  were  ascertained  at  different  pla- 
ces in  the  nation,  of  all  sizes  and  ages,  the  proud  trophies 
of  a  causelessly  waged  contest,  excited  by  the  more  civi- 
lized, and  persevered  in  from  a  confidence  reposed,  that 
their  positions  in  a  neutral  territory,  would  give  protec- 
tion and  safety.  It  was  thus  the  Indians  had  been  encou- 
raged, and  lured  along,  and  their  angry  feelings  kept  alive, 
without  regard,  from  their  instigators,  to  the  consequen- 
ces that  might  ensue:  our  forbearance  served  but  to  pro- 
duce greater  confidence  to  them,  their  abettors  and  advi- 
sers. Dispersed  and  routed  at  Mickasuckee,  they  fled 
into  the  swamps,  and  towards  the  Spanish  parts  of  St. 
Marks  and  Pensacola,  and  thither  they  were  immediately 
pursued. 


SEMXNOLE  WAR.  283 

It  was  idle  to  expect,  after  the  language  of  the  order 
issued,  that  a  speedy  termination  could  be  given  to  the 
war,  if  when  driven  from  their  fastnesses,  and  strong  posi- 
tions in  the  wilderness  of  Florida,  the  Indians  could  find  a 
safe  retreat  under  the  guns  of  a  Spanish  fortress,  and 
thereby  confidence  be  produced,  and  the  means  of  recom- 
mencing active  operations  afforded.     The  presence  of  an 
army,  under  such  circumstances,  might  partially  operate 
on  the  fears  of  such  an  enemy,  but  by  no  means  could  have 
a  tendency  to  subdue  them.     Influenced  by  these  consi- 
derations, the  determination  was  taken  to  move  in  '*  fresh 
pursuit,"  and  to  treat  as  hostile  those  places  which  should 
succour  their  retreat,  and  those  too  where  it  could  be  as- 
certained, means  of  prosecuting  the  war  had  been  aflbrd- 
ed.  A  communication  was  forwarded  by  General  Jackson 
to  the  commandant  of  the  Spanish  post  of  St.  Marks,  dis- 
closing fully  the  inducement  which  had  prompted  him  to 
the  course  he  was  about  to  take.  Rather  than  harass  and  wear 
down,  his  army  in  pursuing  the  enemy  through  the  swamps 
and  forests  of  Florida,  it  seemed  preferable  to  strike  at 
once  at  those  strong  holds,  on  which  he  well  knew  their 
"eliance  must  be,  and  would  be,   for  buoyancy  to  their 
hopes,  and  for  obtaining  the  means  necessary  to  a  prose- 
cution of  their  designs.     Understanding,  on  a  near  ap- 
proach   to    St.    Marks,   that   the   Indians    and    fugitive 
negroes  had  demanded  of  the  commandant  (Luengo)  a 
surrender  of  the  fort,  Jackson  brought  to  his  considera- 
tion the  wrongs  and  injuries  they  had  practised  towards 
the  United  States, — their  lawless  and  wanton  course,  and 
the  great  number  of  scalps  he  had  ascertained,  in  the 
towns  through  which  he  had  passed.     '*I  have,"  said  he, 
**  discovered  in  the  council  houses  of  Kenhagee,  [king  of 
the  nation]  more  than  fifty  fresh  scalps,  suspended  on  a  pole, 
of  all  ages,  from  the  infant  to  the  aged  matron:  in  addi- 
tion to  these,  upwards  of  three  hundred  scalps  were  found 
in   the  dwellings  of  the  different  chiefs,  settled  on   the 
Mickasuckee  pond.     I  am  also  informed,  that  the  hostile 
Indians  and  negroes  obtained  their  supplies  of  ammuni-  ~ 
tion  from  St.  Marks." 

The  commandant,  however,  was  at  the  same  time  told, 
that  in  the  approach  thus  made  to  his  fort,  it  was  not  in 
character  of  an  enemy  to  Spain;  but  as  a  friend,  to  protect 
Florida  in  maintaining  that  neutrality,  which,  from  posi- 
tion and  inability  she  could  not  of  herself  secure;  that 


284  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

everj  .hiiig  should  be  taken  in  inventory,  and  accounted 
for  fully;  but  that  a  surrender  of  the  post  must  be  made, 
inasmuch,  as  without  it,  peace  and  security  could  not  be 
attained.  The  fort  was  surrendered,  and  garrisoned  by 
our  troops.  Facts  here  ascertained,  present  the  conduct 
of  the  commandant  of  St  Marks,  in  a  point  of  view  highly 
exceptionable.  Here  the  Indians  had  been  received  kind- 
ly, and  protection  afforded  them :  it  was  a  mart  for  many 
of  their  plundered  goods:  indeed,  a  contract  was  shown 
to  have  been  made,  for  supplying  a  certain  quantity  of 
cattle,  which  it  was  understood  at  the  time,  were  to  be 
procured  from  the  confines  of  Georgia,  and  which,  being 
actually  thence  clandestinely  obtained,  were  subsequently 
delivered  at  the  post.  Arms  and  ammunition  had  there 
been  furnished;  while  there  too,  some  of  the  clothing  of 
those  who  had  perished  in  the  assault  and  massacre  of 
lieutenant  Scott  and  his  party,  were  discovered  to  have 
been  sold.  This  course  and  policy  of  the  Spaniards,  had 
proceeded,  as  they  alleged,  from  apprehension  and  fears 
of  the  Indians,  and  the  feeble  condition  of  the  garrison. 
General  Jackson,  apart  from  any  intention  to  war  against 
the  Spanish  authorities  of  Florida,  urged  in  justification 
of  his  course,  that  their  admitted  inability  and  weakness 
was  the  entire  cause  of  his  proceeding — to  deprive  the 
mutual  enemy  of  the  United  States  and  Spain  of  the 
means  of  conveyance;  and  that  every  thing  should  be  again 
surrendered  when  a  force  adequate  to  defence,  and  the 
maintenance  of  authority,  should  appear. 

The  army  proceeded  from  this  point,  east  to  Suwannee 
river,  about  eighty  miles,  dispersing  and  intimidating  the 
enemy:  it  thence  returned,  and  by  the  way  of  Fort  Gads- 
den, advanced  upon  Pensacola,  distant  from  St.  Marks 
nearly  two  hundred  miles  to  the  west,  where  it  was  un- 
derstood protection  and  safety  was  also  afforded  the  In- 
dians. That  they  had  here  been  favourably  received,  was 
clearly  ascertained,  while  from  the  position  and  strength 
of  the  place,  the  same  exteniiating  causes  which  had  been 
urged  by  the  commandant  of  St  Marks,  could  not  be  ad- 
mitted: the  conclusion  therefore  was  more  readily  a/rived 
at,  that  this  proffered  extenuation  was  mere  pretence,  and 
that  a  disposition  to  aid,  rather  than  an  inability  to  de- 
fend, was  in  fact  the  moving,  governing  consideration. 
From  this  place  protection  had  been  given.     The  passing 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  283 

of  our  provision  vessels,  through  the  waters  of  Florida, 
coming  in  aid  of  the  army,  had  been  objected  to,  while  an 
angry  menace  from  the  governor,  warning  against  the  ad- 
vance of  the  American  troops  within  his  jurisdiction,  and 
threatening  to  oppose  force  with  force,  had  been  very  foiv 
mally  presented.  Pursuing  his  original  design,  derived 
through  the  order  under  which  he  acted,  of  putting  a  speedy 
termination  to  the  war,  and  convinced,  that  while  the  im- 
portant posts  of  St.  Marks  and  Pensacola  were  retained, 
subject  to  Spanish  authority,  such  a  result  was  not  to  be 
effected,  General  Jackson,  from  considerations  of  prudence 
and  safety,  determined  to  occupy  both  positions,  that  by 
cutting  off  those  subsidiary  and  relief  points,  the  chances 
of  assistance  and  encouragement  to  the  Indians  might  be 
effectually  removed. 

The  peaceable  surrender  of  Fort  Barancas  was  denied, 
and  measures  taken  to  resist  the  approach  of  our  army,  by 
Masat,  who  at  that  time  was  governor  of  Pensacola.   The 
neutrality  of  the  place  had  been  heretofore,  in  1814,  dis- 
regarded by  the  British,  when  Jackson,  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility, advanced  against,  and  reduced  it;  his  character 
for  decision  and  energy  was  still  recollected  in  Florida. 
The  governor,  of  course,  could  not  be  a  stranger  to  the 
determined  enterprise  of  him  who  was   once  more  ap- 
proaching his  capital.    Intimidated  by  appearances,  he  left 
the  town,  and  sought  protection  and  defence  within  the 
fort.     Our  troops,  on  the  25th  of  May,  being  placed  be- 
fore it,  a  summons  to  surrender  issued:  it  was  refused. 
Preparations  were  now  made  on  both  sides,  the  one  to 
defend,  and  the  other  to  press  forward.      Defences  were 
thrown   up;  scaling   ladders  prepared   to  advance   over 
the   wall,  and   martial   preparations   sternly  manifested. 
At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  a  battery  clothed 
with  one  small  field  piece,  within  three  hundred  and  eighty 
yards  of  the  fort,  was  presented.     Firing  commenced;  a 
parley  ensued,  and  the  garrison  was  required  to  surrender, 
and  further  resistance  urged  as  unnecessary  and  useless. 
This  morning,  a  Spanish  non-commissioned  officer,  found 
loitering  around,  was  taken  and  brought  a  prisoner  to  our 
line.     Seemingly,  as  by  accident,  a  view  was  afforded  him 
of  every  arrangement,  and  of  the  scaling  ladders,  which 
were  ready  and  prepared.     The  General  informed  him, 
if  the  place  was  not  delivered  before  the  dawn  of  day,  he 


286  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

would  enter  it,  when  if  resistance  were  kept  up,  he  was 
determined  to  put  every  soul  to  the  bayonet:  in  the  after- 
noon he  was  dismissed  on  his  parole,  but  pretending  an 
apprehension  that  he  might  communicate  to  the  governor 
and  commandant  of  the  fort  his  preparation  and.  deter- 
mination, the  General  stated  to  him,  he  could  not  be  dis- 
charged, except  to  go  to  Pensacola,  not  Barancas;  accord- 
ingly, a  guard  was  sent  to  accompany  him  thither,  distant 
about  14  miles.  "I  very  well  knew,"  remarked  the  Gene- 
ral, "that  he  would  be  deceived;  my  wish  was  for  him 
to  give  information  of  every  thing  he  had  seen ;  and  as  the 
distance  to  Fort  Barancas  by  water  across  the  bay,  was 
but  seven  miles,  I  was  satisfied,  on  reaching  town,  he 
would  hasten  to  communicate  all  the  information  he  had 
received."  He  was  watched,  and  found  to  do  exactly  as  had 
been  expected;  the  consequence  of  which  was,  that  very 
evening,  a  flag  proceeded  to  the  American  camp,  an  armi- 
stice was  concluded,  and  early  the  next  morning  a  surren- 
der was  made.  With  this,  and  the  fortress  of  St.  Marks, 
added  to  Fort  Gadsden,  which  had  previously  been  esta- 
blished on  the  Apalachacola,  it  was  believed,  positions 
enough,  and  strength  sufficient  would  be  required,  to  hold 
the  savages  in  check,  and  future  outrages  be  avoided. 
The  General  now'  concluded  to  return  his  army  home,  and 
to  discharge  it  from  further  service.  The  Georgia  troops, 
under  General  Glascock,  had  previous  to  this  time, 
(20th  of  April,)  been  relieved  from  the  campaign,  and  re- 
tired home,  there  to  be  mustered  from  service.  Since 
the  conclusion  of  the  assault  on  Pensacola,  General  Jack- 
son has  been  heard  to  remark,  that  he  had  not  intended  to 
scale  the  walls,  and  thus  attempt  by  force  to  carry  the 
fort: — *'  My  object,"  said  he,  ^  was  to  alarm,  fully  calcu- 
lating, that  in  this  way,  possession  would  be  obtained. 
The  enterprise  was  hazardous;  and  although  I  should 
have  carried  it,  yet  many  of  my  men  must  have  fallen: 
in  this  view,  the  object  to  be  attained,  was  not  at  all  wor- 
thy the  risk;  besides,  it  would  have  been  rather  too  bold  a 
measure,  as  against  a  neutral  power.  The  preparation  I 
had  made — the  battery  erected,  and  scaling  ladders  pre- 
pared, were  alone  intended  for  effect,  and  to  intimidate; 
had  they  failed,  I  should  have  withdrawn  my  army,  and 
relied  for  preservation  of  peace  with  the  Indians,  on  St. 
Marks  and  Fort  Gadsden,  posts  already  occupied." 


Seminole  war.  287 

Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister. 

At  the  capture  and  destruction  of  one  of  the  Indian  vil-  * 
lages,  (Bowlecks)  a  British  lieutenant  of  marines,  Ambris- 
ter, was  taken  prisoner:  subsequently,  at  St.  Marks, 
another  subject  of  Great  Britain,  Arbuthaot,  acting  and 
associating  with  the  Indians,  was  also  taken.  Shortly  after- 
wards, a  court  of  inquiry,  of  which  Major  General  Gaines 
being  president,  was  by  order  of  the  commanding  General, 
coiivened,  when  the  one  was  decreed  to  be  shot,  and  the 
other  to  be  hanged.  In  the  case  of  Ambrister,  after  the  pro- 
ceedings and  finding  of  the  court  had  closed,  a  reconsidera- 
tion was  applied  for,  and  obtained;  when  instead  of  being 
subjected  to  death,  he  was  decreed  if  not  to  as  severe,  yet  to 
a  more  humiliating  punishment — ''to  receive  fifty  stripes 
on  his  bare  back,  and  to  be  confined  to  a  ball  and  chain  to 
hard  labour,  for  twelve  months."  Such  was  the  decree  of 
the  court.  This  latter  sentence  being  by  the  General  re- 
jected, and  the  first  approved,  it  was  shortly  afterwards 
carried  into  execution.  Arbuthnot  was  also  executed.  It 
is  to  the  interference  of  others,  rather  than  the  Indians, 
that  we  are  indebted  for  the  massacres  and  cruelties  prac- 
tised on  our  citizens.  During  our  late  war,  Nicholls  and 
Woodbine,  English  adventurers,  through  their  practised 
arts,  and  assistance  promised,  caused  dissatisfaction  and 
discontent  with  our  Indians.  Departing  from  the  coun- 
try, they  left  them  in  possession  of  a  strong  defence  (Ne- 
gro Fort)  with  assurances  of  support  Avhenever  it  might  be 
needed ;  in  the  mean  time,  these  two  adventurers,  doomed 
to  death,  were,  in  the  absence  of  Nicholls  and  Woodbine, 
sent  to  the  country  to  associate  with  savages,  keep  bright 
their  enmity,  and  to  be  engaged  in  the  same  ministry  of 
blood  and  mischief  in  which  they  themselves  had  so  lately 
been  employed.  Not  a  council  was  held,  a  letter  written, 
or  an  act  done,  preparatory  to  v/ar,  or  to  encourage  its 
prosecution,  that  they  were  not  the  grand  directors  and 
agents.  Arms  and  ammunition  were  applied  for!  The 
provincial  governors"  of  Britain  were  addressed;  and  the 
chief,  Hillishadjo,  lately  returned  from  a  visit  to  England, 
was  pledged  as  authority,  that  the  Prince  Regent,  through 
him,  had  ordered  their  applications  to  be  attended  to,  and 
supplies  furnished,  when  he  should  require  them.  Letters 
to  this  effect  were  addressed  by  Ambrister  to  Governor 
Cameron  of  the  Bahamas,  and  the  most  urgent  importu- 


288  LIFE  OF   GENERAL  JACKSON. 

nity,  pressed  for  the  application  speedily  to  be  met.     Two 
letters  written  in  March,  breathe  the  same  earnest  entrea- 
ty, confessing  in  both,  that  he  had  already  sent  a  party  of 
Indians  to  oppose  the  advance  of  the  American  troops. 
Arbuthnot,  too,   his  coadjutor,   was   alike  concerned,  in 
arousing  the  slumbering  spirits  of  the  natives,  and  inci- 
ting them  to  acts  of  savage  cruelty,  of  bloodshed  and  war. 
The  policy  pursued  by  General  Jackson,  in  advancing 
upon  Florida — occupying  posts  in  the  territory  of  a  neu- 
tral power,  and   especially  for  executing  those  two  Eng- 
lish subjects,  have  proved  matters  for  repeated  animad- 
version and  remark.     Foes  have  censured,  friends  have 
approved.     In   1818-19,  congress  undertook  its  investiga- 
tion.    Before  the  Senate,  where  an  illiberal  and  incorrect 
report  from  a  committee  was  made,  no  discussion  was 
had,  or  decision  pronounced ;  for  although  the  subject  was 
taken  up  at  a  very  early  period,  nothing  was  heard  from 
the  examining  committee  until  very  nearly  the  close  of 
the  session,  when  no  opportunity  was  presented  for  exami- 
nation and  discussion :  the  entire  proceeding  carried  with 
it,  on  the  part  of  the  chairman,  the  impress  of  manage- 
ment and  design.     But  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
where,  for  three  .weeks,  the  discussion  with  great  ability 
progressed,  a  final  exculpatory  decision  was  had ;  and  the 
course  pursued  throughout  by  the  General,  received  the 
approval  and  sanction  of  that  body.     Learning,  research 
and  elocution,  were  displayed  on  the  occasion;  while  strong 
excitement  pervaded  the  country  at  an  attempt  thus  made 
to  tarnish  the  reputation  of  one  of  her  best  and  greatest 
benefactors.      Directly   after  this  decision,  and   notwith- 
standing it  had  been  pronounced,   the   chairman  of  the 
committee  in  the  Senate,  came  forth  with  his  gleanings, 
censuring,    reproving  and  condemning,  under   most  as- 
sumed   facts,  every  thing  to    which    the    representative 
branch  of  the  government  had  extended  a  most  unquali- 
fied approval.     The  end  and  object  was,  to  preserve  pub- 
lic opinion  in  doubtful  suspgnsc.   Pending  this  discussion, 
and  when  variant  and   contrarious  opinions  had  been  ad- 
vanced, and  the   whole  matter  argued  at  length,  a   dis- 
tinguished  and   respectable  member  from  Pennsylvania, 
Mr.  Baldwin,  remarked  in  progress  of   the  debate,  that 
even  in  the  wilderness  of  Florida,  apart  from  any  access  to 
books.   General    Jackson  appeared  better  to  understand 
national  laws  and  its  principles,  than  members  who  were 


SEMINOLl-,  v.ar.  289 

ill  reach  of  the  library,  and  afforded  every  facility  to  in- 
quiry.     The  result  proved   the  observation   correct;  for 
after  three  weeks'*  assiduous  controversy  and  examination 
— after  that  Puffendoi-ff,  \'attel,  and  a  host  of  international 
authors  had  been  resorted  to,  and  consulted,  although  in- 
dividual differences  in  opinion  prevailed,  any  concentration 
of  opinion  as  lo  a  single  imputed  error,  could  not  be  agreed 
u.pon.  The  course  the  General  had  pursued  was  approved 
and  sanctioned  throughout,  by  evei  y  vote  whichwas  taken. 
The  Creek  vrar  being  over,  many  of  the  chiefs  and  war- 
riors fled  into  Florida  from  their  ovni  comutry,  rejecting 
the  conditions  of  the  treaty  concluded  at  Fort  Jcickson,  and 
refusing  its  terms.   Francis  Hillishadjo,  one  of  Tecumsah's 
commissioned  prophets,  was  of  the  number:  he  had  exert- 
ed all  his  influence  to  keep  alive  the  discontents  of  the 
Indians.   Honicithiemico,- another  chief,  proved  him.self  an 
equally  active  and  zealous  agent:  he  had  acted  as  a  chief 
and  associate  of  the  clan,  v.hich  had  destroyed  Lieutenant 
Scott  and  his  party.     The  former  having  passed  over  to 
England,  came  back   with  a  thorough  understanding  of 
the  construction  and  foi-ce  v.hich  was  to  be  given  to  the 
treaty  of  Ghent — that  by  it,  the  United  States  were  bound, 
and  would  be  conipelled  to  re-surrender  the  Creek  coun- 
try, as  it  had  remained  in  the  year  ISll ;  besides  this  poi- 
sonous infection,  Hillishadjo.  when  in  England,  received 
the  commission  of  a  bi-igadier  general,  the  better  to  add 
to  his  consequence,  and  to  give  effect  to  his  councils,  with 
•j.n  assurance,  that  ammunition  whenever  wanted  should 
iie  furnished.    Representing  the  interest  of  Woodbine  and 
N'icliolis.    in    *.heir.  absence,   Arbuthnot    and    Ambrister 
'.vere  actively  engaged  in  keeping  alive  a  spirit  of  enmity 
and   discontent,  and  hostility  on  the  part  of  the  Indians. 
This   distinguished  British  brigadier,  and  his  coadjutor 
chief,  being  niade  prisoners,  were  also  executed. 

The  jealousy  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister  towards  two 
citizens  resident  in  Florida,  Hambly  and  Doyle,  had  been 
excited.  It  was  coiVceived,  intelligence  had  been  afforded  by 
them  to  the  Americans  of  passing  events,  while  it  was  open- 
ly charged,  that  the  destruction  of  the  negro  fori,  establish- 
ed by  Xicholls,  had  been  effected  throiigh  information  which 
they  had  affbrded  of  its  position  and  strength.  Operated 
upon  by  these  suspicions,  and  a  belief  of  their  warm  attach- 
ment to  the  United  States,  a  party  of  Indians  were  despatch- 
ed for  the  purpose,  andthev  were  seized  on  their  own  farms, 
B  b  ' 


290  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

hurried  to  Suwannee,  and  thence  to  Kenhagees  town, 
where,  under  the  fiat  of  Arbuthnot,  they  were  condemned 
to  torture:  from  this  they  were  preserved  for  the  moment, 
by  the  interference  of  the  negro  chief  Nero,  and  were 
thence  removed  to  St.  Marks,  where  they  were  placed  for 
safe  keeping,  with  an  understanding,  that  being  prisoners 
of  the  Indians,  the  commandant  should  deliver  them  on 
application.  While  in  confinement,  and  apprehending 
their  situation  in  the  interior  was  by  no  means  a  secure 
one  from  danger,  application  was  made  to  their  friends  in 
Pensacola,  and  a  vessel  despatched  to  their  relief.  Having 
gotten  on  board  of  it,  they  proceeded  for  St.  Marks,  when 
falling  in  with  Lieutenant  M'lver  of  the  navy,  then  cruising 
in  aid  of  General  Jackson's  advance,  they  sought  safety  on 
board  his  boats.  The  Indians,  in  the  mean  time,  had 
concluded  to  demand,  and  take  tljem  from  Fort  St.  Marks, 
and  with  a  view  to  that  object,  Hillishadjo  and  Homathle- 
mico  had  arrived  at  that  place.  Finding  they  had  proceeded 
down  the  bay,  pursuit  was  commenced :  Avhen  descrying 
M'lver's  vessel,  to  which  was  appended  at  the  time  Eng- 
lish colours,  they  approached  with  confidence,  and  were 
made  prisoners.  They  were  brought  to  St.  Marks,  and 
there  executed,  on  board  the  vessel  in  which  they  had  been 
captured.  The  sentence  dooming  them  to  death,  being  by 
its  infliction  discharged,  the  officer  to  whom  the  duty  had 
been  assigned,  approached  General  Jackson  and  announced 
it  done:  he  then  inquii-ed  the  disposition  that  should  be 
made  of  their  lifeless  bodies — "Shall  they  be  thrown  over- 
board?" Jackson,  with  eyes  suffused  with  tears,  looked 
sternly  at  him,  then  said,  "Recollect,  sir,  they  are  no  lon- 
ger our  enemies:  justice  is  satisfied!  Let  their  bodies  be 
decently  interred."* 

•Francis,  the  prophet,  had  been  \n  England  :  the  following  short 
sketch  of  him  is  taken  from  Niles's  Register  :  the  first  paragraph  of  the 
account  is  an  extract  from  a  British  paper: 

"  The  double  sound  of  trumpet  announced  the  approacli  of  the  pa- 
triot Francis,  who  foug'ht  so  gloriously  in  our  cause  in  Ainci'lca ;  he  was 
dressed  in  a  most  splendid  suit  of  red  and  gold,  and  by  his  side  he  wore 
a  tomahawk  mounted  in  gold,  presented  to  him  by  the  Prince  Hegent." 

"  The  wretch,  it  seems,  was  also  the  prime  mover  of  the  unprovoked 
and  infernal  massacre  of  the  garrison,  widi  the  women  and  cliildren,  of 
Fort  Minmis,  before  the  Creek  war — a  massacre  o/  untold  horrors.  It 
was  he,  too,  wdio  slaughtered  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  party,  on  Flint 
River.  He  had  been  outlawed  by  his  countr}'men  for  his  savage  pro- 
pensides ;  was  a  murderer  by  trade  ;  a  favourite  at  court :  and  die  ally 
of  England.-' — Begittcr,  vol.  4,  page  269. 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  29  I 

Mr.  Adams,  then  secretary  of  state,  in  his  despatch  of 
November  28th,  1818,  to  our  minister  at  Madrid,  details 
at  large,  the  just  ground  of  accusation  against  those  exe- 
cuted Indians,  and  English  emissaries,  who  were  the  exci- 
ters of  the  war,  and  promoters  of  the  numerous  unprovoked 
cruelties,  of  which  the  United  States,  in  behalf  of  her 
citizens,  had  to  complain.  A  letter  written  by  Arbuthnot*s 
clerk  to  a  friend  at  Nassau,  detailing  the  incidents  of  the 
time,  speaks  of  the  capture  and  destruction  of  Lieutenant 
Scott  and  his  companions,  and  contains  the  following  re- 
mark, which  is  quoted  in  that  official  despatch.  "There 
was  a  boat  that  was  taken  by  the  Indians,  that  had  in  thirty 
men,  seven  women,  and  four  small  children.  There  were  six 
of  the  men  got  clear,  and  one  woman  saved,  and  all  the  rest 
of  them  got  killed.  The  children  were  taken  by  the  heels, 
and  their  brains  dashed  out  against  the  boat."  Upon  this, 
and  other  quoted  matter,  Mr.  Adams  proceeds  to  remark, 
as  follows: 

"If  the  bare  recital  of  scenes  like  these  cannot  be  pe-^ 
rused  without  shuddering,  what  must  be  the  agonized  feel- 
ings of  those  whose  wives  and  children  are  from  day  to 
day,  and  from  night  to  night,  exposed  to  be  the  victims 
of  the  same  barbarity?  Has  mercy  a  voice  to  plead  for 
the  perpetrators  and  instigators  of  deeds  like  these?  Should 
inquiry  hereafter  be  made,  why,  within  three  months  after 
this  event,  the  savage  Homathlemico,  upon  being  taken 
prisoner  by  the  American  troops,  was  by  order  of  their 
commander,  immediately  hung — let  it  be  told,  that  that 
savage  was  the  commander  of  the  party,  by  which  those 
women  were  put  to  death,  and  those  helpless  infants  were 
thus  dashed  against  the  boat.  Contending  with  such  ene- 
mies, although  humanity  revolts  at  entire  retaliation  upon 
them,  and  spares  the  lives  of  their  feeble  and  defenceless 
women  and  children,  yet  mercy  herself  surrenders  to  re- 
tributive justice,  the  lives  of  their  leading  warriors  taken 
in  arms,  and  still  more,  the  lives  of  the  foreigners,  white 
incendiaries,  who,  disowned  by  their  own  government, 
and  disowning  their  own  natures,  degrade  themselves  be- 
neath the  savage  character,  by  voluntarily  descending  to 
its  level.  Is  not  this  the  dictate  of  common  sense?  Is  it 
not  the  usage  of  legitimate  warfare  ?  Is  it  not  con- 
sonant to  the  soundest  authorities  of  national  law? 
'When  at  war,'  says  Vattel,  '  with  a  ferocious  nation, 
which  observes  no  rules,  and  grants  no  quarter,  they  may 


292  LIFE  OF   GEXERAI.  JACKSON. 

be  chastised  in  the  persons  of  those  of  them  who  may  be 
taken^  they  are  of  the  number  of  the  guilty,  and  by  this 
rigour  the  attempt  may  be  made  of  bringing  them  to  a 
sense  of  the  hnvs  of  humanity.*  And  again:  *As  the 
General  has  the  right  of  sacrificing  the  lives  of  his  ene- 
mies to  his  own  safety,  oi^  that  of  his  people,  if  he  has 
to  contend  with  an  inhuman  enemy,  often  guilty  of  such 
excesses,  he  may  take  the  lives  of  some  of  his  prisoners, 
and  treat  them  as  his  own  people  have  been  treated.'  The 
justification  of  these  principles  is  found  in  their  salutary 
efficacy  for  terror,  and  for  example. 

''  It  is  thus  only  that  the  barbarities  of  Indians  can  be 
successfully  encountered.  It  is  thus  only  that  the  worse 
than  Indian  barbarities  of  the  European,  impostors,  pre- 
tending authority  from  their  governments,  bui  always  dis- 
avowed, can  be  punished  and  arrested.  From  the  period 
of  our  established  independence  to  this  day,  all  the  Indian 
wars  with  which  v/e  have  been  afflicted,  have  been  dis- 
tinctly traceable  to  the  instigation  of  English  traders  or 
agents.  Always  disavowed,  yet  ahvays  felt;  more  than 
once  detected,  but  never  before  punished;  tv/o  of  them,  of- 
fenders of  the  deepest  dye,  have  fallen,  Jiagratite  delicto^  into 
the  hands  of  an  .-Vmerican  general,  and  the  punishment 
inflicted  upon  them  has  fixed  them  on  high  as  an  example, 
awful  in  its  exhibition,  but  we  trust  auspicious  in  its  re- 
sults, of  that  which  awaits  unauthorized  pretenders  of  Eu- 
ropean agency,  to  stimulate  and  interpose  in  wars  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Indians  within  their  control." 

These  executions  afforded  the  happiest  themes  for  fan- 
ciful and  enlarged  declamation,  and  consequently,  most 
strongly  have  attracted  public  attention.  Reason  then,  as 
now,  maintained  her  ground,  and  insisted,  that  Spain,  so  far 
from  having  any  well  established  cause  for  complaint, 
should  have  been  required  to  hold  her  ov^n  officers  liable 
for  the  outrages  and  murders  committed  within  her  juris- 
diction, and  for  the  violation  of  subsisting  treaties  between 
the  United  States  and  herself.  Those  ofienders  suffered 
deservedlv:  congress  so  pronounced,  and  the  country  ap- 
proved. Great  Britain,  ever  prompt  and  ready  in  protect- 
ing and  defending  the  rights  of  her  subjects,  came  not 
forth,  in  any  form  whatever,  to  inquire  wherefore  had  they 
suffered.  She  could  not  but  know,  and  did  know,  that  by 
abjuring  their  native  land,  and  uniting  in  destiny  with  a 
murderous  and  savage  race,  they  became  identified  in  the 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  293 

association,  and  were  without  the  pale  of  national  rule. 
Acting  with  savages,  they  were  to  be  considered  as  such. 
''A  ferocious  nation,"  says  Vattel,  "which  observes  no 
rules,  and  grants  no  quarter,  may  be  chastised  in  the  per- 
sons of  those  of  them  who  may  be  taken. "  Civilized  asso- 
ciates, contending  with,  and  fighting  by  their  side,  or 
impelling  them  forward,  are  alike  to  be  considered  within 
the  rule:  nay,  they  stand  in  a  more  criminal  point  of  view; 
because,  with  education  and  refined  habits  on  their  side, 
they  become  infinitely  more  criminal  and  culpable,  for 
being  connected  with  a  cruel  and  bloody  enemy,  who  re- 
spects no  age,  and  spares  no  sex.  The  proofs  evidenced 
on  the  trial,  disclose  the  fact,  that  these  men  were  the  aid- 
ers, abettors  and  counsellors  of  the  Indians,  procuring 
supplies,  and  applying  for  means  of  protection  against  the 
American  government;  while  at  the  same  time  they  were 
encouraged  to  a  belief,  that  the  United  States  would  be 
constrained  to  restore  their  lands,  agreeably  to  the  provi- 
sions of  the  Ghent  treaty.  A  course  of  conduct  like  this, 
had  roused  their  vengeful  feelings  into  action,  and  produced 
the  massacres  that  have  been  committed,  wherein  no  differ- 
ence was  made  between  the  contending  soldier,  the  female, 
and  the  helpless  child;  all  were  made  to  perish  together. 

This  campaign  consisted  rather  in  rapidity  of  move- 
ment, and  hardships  encountered,  than  of , battles  fought 
and  won.  The  name  of  Jackson,  from  the  previous  con- 
flicts in  which  he  had  been  engaged,  had  produced  upon 
the  minds  of  the  Indians,  a  timidity,  which  drove  them  to 
the  swamps,  avoiding  any  other  contests  than  occasional 
skirmishing,  brought  on  under  such  circumstances  as  to 
position,  that  they  could  return  at  pleasure,  and  find 
refuge  in  the  numerous  morasses  of  their  country.  The 
service  was  arduous  in  the  extreme;  besides  the  limited 
supplies  already  spoken  of,  which  subjected  our  troops  to 
suffering,  the  country  was  flat,  and,  from  continual  rains, 
covered  with  watei*.  For  eighteen  days,  our  officers,  and 
the  army,  including  the  Generak  who,  to  every  extent  en- 
countered the  same  fatigue  with  his  soldiers,  were  without 
even  the  comfort  which  dry  clothes  afford.  Swamps  inter- 
posing, and  which  constantly  were  to  be  waded,  denied 
this  comfort;  yet,  notwithstanding,  during  the  whole  cam- 
paign, from  battle  and  from  sickness  combined,  the  loss  of 
the  army  did  not  exceed  half  a  dozen  persons. 

This  Seminole  war  v/ith  the  Indians  gave  rise  in  the  Uni- 
B  b  2 


294  LIKE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

ted  States,  to  some  questions,  which  previously  were  alto- 
gether new,  and  unacted  upon  in  this  country.     Florida 
•was  the  province  of  Spain :  By  treaty  stipulations,  that  pow- 
er was  bound  to  hold  in  check,  and  preserve  at  peace  the 
tribes  of  Indians  within  the  limitsof  her  jurisdiction  ;but  her 
provincial  agents  had  declared  their  inability  to  effect  this 
object,  while  the  savages,  confiding  in  security  from  the  po- 
sition they  occupied,  within  the  confines  of  a  neutral  terri- 
tory, conceived  from  the  admonitions  of  the  more  designing, 
that  inroads  on  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  might, 
at  any  time,  with  impunity,  be  made.      The  circumstance 
of  General  Gaines  not  attempting  to  advance  into  their 
country,  for  the  length  of  time  he  had  commanl^ed  along 
the  frontiers  of  Georgia,  produced  from  the  reason,  that 
he  was  inhibited  to  do  so  by  positive  orders  from  the  war 
department,  tended  greatly  to   confirm  them  in  opinion, 
that  their  locality  of  position  afforded  the  most  ample  secu- 
rity.    When  General  Jackson  came  into  the  field,  with  an 
unconditional  order  to  put  a  speedy  termination  to  the 
war;   and  when  apart  from  that  restraint  of  the   depart- 
ment, which  so  effectually  had  restricted  the  operations  of 
General  Gaines,  he  determined  forthwith  to  carry  the  war 
into  the  enemies'  country,  nor  leave  them  longer  reposing 
in  the  belief,  that  an  ideal  imaginary  line  could  afford  pro- 
tection ag^ainst  their  causeless  and  unprovoked  outrages. 
He  dreamed  not  that  Vattel's  doctrine  of  "fresh  pursuit," 
which,  with  civilized  nations,  seemed  necessary  to  justify 
an  entrance  upon  the  territory  of  a  neutral  power,  could  be 
made  applicable  to  the  condition  of  savages,  who  were  not 
parties  to  the  law,  and  who  per  force  claimed  the  mastery 
of  the  invaded  territory.      Whatever  effect  such  doctrine 
might  be  entitled  to,  betvveen  refined  nations,  controlled  by 
established  lav.s,  it  did  not  occur  to  him  as  being  applica- 
ble between  a  civilized  and  savage  enemy,  inhabiting  too 
a  country,  whose  sovereign,  by  treaty,  was  bound  to  pre- 
serve the  relations  of  peace,  and  whose  agents  had  ackno^^- 
ledged  an  utter  inability  to  do  so.     The  entire  inapplica- 
bility   of  international    law,   as   derived   from    European 
constructions,  in  reference  to  such  a  case,  contains  a  suf- 
ficient answer  to  all  the  refinements  and  subtleties  to  be 
adduced  from  such  irrelative  sources.     An  army  of  ten 
thousand  men  would  scarcely  have  power  sufficient  to  form 
a  cordon  of  protecting  posts,  along  aline  stretching  through 
a  wilderness,  for  more  than  three  hundred  miles.     Either 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  295 

then  the  sanctity  attached  by  some  to  that  line  should  have 
been  disregarded,  or  the  inhabitants  left  to  the  mercy  of 
the  savages,  apart  from  any  attempted  interference  and 
protection  from  the  government. 

By  these  energetic  and  bold  acts,  good  order  was  rein- 
stated, the  enemy  subdued,  and  peace  restored,  through  the 
intimidation  produced:  in  the  language  of  the  command^ 
ii^sued  from  the  Avar  department,  "a  speedy  termination  was 
given  to  the  war,  and  the  enemy  punished  for  their  unpro- 
voked cruelties/'  General  Jackson  now  returned  home, 
having,  in  about  sixty  days,  not  merely  put  an  end  to  the 
war,  but  altogether  removed  the  means  of  again  reviving  it. 

Notwithstanding  the  strong  defence  of  the  course  pui^ 
sued,  made  by  the  secretary  of  state,  Mr.  Adams,  to  our 
minister  at  Madrid,  Spain  complained.  The  arguments 
replied  to  her  were,  your  provinces  were  incompetent  to 
resistance,  and  a  maintenance  of  your  treaty  engagements ^ 
you  could  not  preserve  your  Indians  at  peace.  To  aid  in 
the  execution  of  that  stipulation,  and  not  to  make  war, 
was  the  purpose  of  marching  an  army  into  Florida,  and 
garrisoning  the  forts  of  the  country.  But  to  afford  an  evi- 
dence of  the  amicable  and  good  feelings  still  entertained, 
St.  Marks  and  Pensacola  v/ere  re-delivered,  v.hile  Fort 
Gadsden,  on  the  Apalachacola,  v»'ithin  the  jurisdiction  of 
Spain,  was  retained  by  our  government,  that  every  hold  on 
the  awed  submission  of  the  savages,  might  not  be  yielded. 
If  the  consideration  of  sovereignty,  and  respect  to  it,  con- 
stituted the  inducement  for  not  retaining  possession  of  St. 
Marks  and  Pensacola,  it  is  rendered  matter  of  surprise, 
why  the  retention  of  Fort  Gadsden,  was  not  equally  to  be 
considered  an  infringement  of  that  sovereignty.  There 
rests  upon  it  but  this  shade  of  difference,  that  this  latter 
post  was  erected  by  General  Jackson,  the  others  not;  it  is 
difficult  to  perceive,  how  that  circumstance  could  make 
any  very  material  difference,  on  the  principles  of  comity 
and  right  between  nations:  while,  however,  the  other  two 
posts  were  delivered  back  to  the  authorities  of  Spain, 
Fort  Gadsden  was  retained  :  thus  the  amende  honorable  be- 
ing made,  the  matter  terminated.  The  circumstances  and 
incidents  of  this  campaign,  discovering  to  his  Catholic 
Majesty,  that  his  provinces  of  Florid:i  were  altogether  in- 
secure, most  likely  induced  a  determination  to  part  with 
both  the  soil  and  the  sovereignty;  and  in  the  following 
year,  by  a  new  treaty  entered  into  by  th(^  two  governments* 


296  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOX. 

the  United  States  obtained  possession  of  both  East  and 
West  Florida,  for  a  stipulated  sum,  to  be  disbursed  amongst 
her  own  citizens,  for  violations  committed  by  Spain  on  the 
commerce  of  the  United  States. 

Court  of  Inquiry — change  of  Ambrister's  sentence — 

AND   CONDUCT  OF  CaPTAIN  WrIGHT. 

The  execution  of  these  two  Englishmen,  whose  fate,  so 
frequently,  has  been  actually  or  pretendedly  deplored,  pro- 
ceeded from  the  existence  of  facts,  ascertained  by  a  respec- 
table court  organized  for  that  purpose,  especially  and 
alone.  It  has  frequent  and  oft  been  made  a  ground  of  ex- 
ception and  charge,  that  the  sentence  pronounced  against 
Ambrister,  was  improperly  altered  by  the  commanding 
general,  who  caused  to  be  inflicted  a  different  one  from 
that  which  was  ordered.  This  distinction  is  necessary  to 
be  borne  in  mind — a  distinction  that  exists,  and  which  is 
necessary  to  a  proper  understanding  of  the  matter.  Am- 
brister, it  will  be  recollected,  was,  in  the  first  place,  con- 
demned to  be  shot;  a  reconsideration  having  been  proposed 
and  agreed  to,  the  subsequent  decree  was,  that  he  should 
"receive  fifty  stripes  on  his  bare  back,  and  be  confined 
with  a  ball  and  ckain,  at  hard  labour,  for  twelve  months." 
General  Jackson's  inversion  of  this  sentence,  and  decreeing 
him  to  death,  to  one  of  honourable  feeling,  would  certain- 
ly be  preferable.  The  coward  heart,  that  would  cleave  to 
life  under  any  and  all  circumstances,  might  perhaps 
prefer  to  survive  even  under  the  disgrace  of  the  first;  but 
the  soldier  of  any  feeling  would  not  fail  to  choose  death 
in  preference,  and  conceive  himself  abundantly  a  gainer. 
But  apart  from  this  consideration,  the  court  was  without 
power  to  ordain  a  sentence  or  award  a  judgment;  and  it 
was  on  this  ground  Jackson  proceeded,  when  taking  the 
course  he  did.  The  authority  conferred  on  this  organized 
tribunal,  consisting  of  men  of  capacity,  judgment,  and 
proper  feelings,  was  simply  that  of  inquiry — to  ascertain 
facts — the  circumstances  and  extent  of  the  guilt — and  not 
an  assessment  of  the  required  retribution  of  that  guilt.* 

*  The  court  of  inquhy  consisted  of  the  following  persons : 
Major  General  E.  P.   Gaines,   President. 
Colonel  William  King,  4th  Infantry. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Lindsay,  Corps  of  Artillery. 
Major  Mulilcnburg',  4th  Infantry. 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  29 T 

There  is  a  wide,  a  material  difference,  between  a  court 
of  inquiry  and  a  court  martial;  the  one  merely  ascertains 
facts,  and  records  them,  to  aid  the  judgment  of  some  su- 
perior, who,  upon  the  details  presented,  is  to  make  a!! 
application  of  the  law,  and  adjudge  and  award  its  penalty; 
the  other  holds  control  both  of  facts  and  law,  and  having 
ascertained  the  one,  the  other  imposes  its  own  decree,  so 
far  as  penalty  is  concerned.  Courts  martial  and  their 
powers  are  merely  and  altogether  creatures  of  the  law; 
when,  therefore,  our  troops  proceeded  beyond  the  limits' 
of  the  United  States,  our  laws,  to  be  sure,  went  with 
them,  and  were  still  in  force,  operative  as  to  them,  but  as 
it  affected  others,  not  connected  with  us,  but  acting  in 
character  of  enemies,  they  could  have  no  effect,  no  opera- 
tion. Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister  being  in  a  country, 
foreign  as  to  us,  could  not  be  amenable  to  our  rules,  ordi- 
nances, and  regulations ;  and  of  course,  were  beyond  the 
interference  of  a  court  martial,  which  apart  from  our  own 
laws,  could  have  no  jurisdiction  whatever.  Their  offences 
and  their  crimes  could  not  be  known  to  any  thing  of  mu- 
nicipal, but  alone  to  the  law  of  nations,  and  were  liable  to 
be  judged  and  punished  by  none  other  than  the  command- 
ing general,  in  v/hom  only  the  government  was  represented. 
Why,  then,  was  a  court  organized  at  all  ?  The  answer  is 
plain  and  obvious ;  to  record  the  facts,  the  circumstances 
and  the  testimony,  to  be  laid  before  the  government  he 
represented,  that  in  the  event  complaints  should  be  m,ade, 
it  might  appear  to  be  a  case  properly  and  justly  decided. 
When,  therefore,  the  court  had  recorded  all  the  facts, 
their  duty  was  discharged:  the  law  gave  them  no  further 
power,  and  they  could  rightfully  execute  nothing  beyond 
it;  and  it  was  right  and  proper  in  the  General,  their  de- 
cree not  according  with  his  opinion,  to  set  it  aside,  and  act 
upon  his  own  judgment  of  the  case.  A  jury  in  this  coun- 
try are  judges  of  law  and  fact;   so  also  is  a  court  martial 

Major  Montgomer}-,  7th  Infantrj*. 

Major  Fanning,  Coi'ps  of  Artillery. 

Captain  Vashon,  7th  Inf:\ntry. 

Colonel  Williamson,  Tennessee  volunteers. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Gibson,  do.  do. 

Colonel  Dyer,  do.  do. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Elliott,  do.  do. 

Major  Minton,  Geor^a  militia. 

Captain  Crittenden,  Kentucky  volunteers. 


298  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOK. 

possessed  of  similar  rights;  but  ^  court  of  inquiry  differs 
from  both;  it  can  do  no  more  than  examine  into  facts, 
and  record  them;  for  there  all  authority  terminates. 

The  very  phraseology  of  the  order  creating  this  court, 
shows  the  extent  of  its  powers,  and  is  in  conformity  to  set- 
tled usage.     The  official  order  is  in  these  words: ''The 
following  detail  will  compose  a  special  court,  to  convene 
at  this  post,  [St.  Marks]  for  the  purpose  of  investigating 
charges    exhibited    against    A.    Arbuthnot,    and    Robert 
Christy  Ambrister.     The  court  will  record  all  the  docu- 
mients  and  testimony  in  the  cases,  and  their  opinion  as  to 
the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  prisoners,  and  what  punish- 
ment, if  any,  should  be  inflicted. '^     The  phraseology  of 
an  order  creating  a  court  martial,  is  entirely  different:  its 
commands  are,  that  2l  general,  garrison,  or  regimental  coxxrt 
martial,  (as  the  case  may  be)  shall  convene  for  the  trial  of, 
Sec.     It  is  styled  by  its  own  particular  name,  and  leaves 
no  room  for  question  as  to  its  powers.     When  convened, 
it  has  all  the  rights  and  authority  of  a  court  and  jury,  to 
ascertain  facts,  apply  the  law,  and  award  sentences  cor- 
respondent to  the  crime  committed.     But  it  is  only  for  the 
infraction    of  such  laws    as  the  congress  of   the  United 
States  have  specially  enacted,  that  such  a  court  can  exer- 
cise jurisdiction;  for  in  relation  to  all  offences  known  only 
to  the  code  of  nations,  it  can  claim  no  jurisdiction  what- 
ever: in  such  cases  the  commanding  general,  representing 
the  sovereignty,  must  himself  act.     He  may,  to  be  sure, 
call  on  others  to  aid  him  in  the  ascertainment  of  facts:  and^ 
may  ask  an  opinion  as  to  the  quantum  of  punishment  pro- 
per and  right  to  be  imposed;  yet  it  being  a  jurisdiction 
exclusively  his  own,  he  could  not  delegate  its  exercise  to 
others,  even  were  he  disposed  to  do  so.     In  our  revolu- 
tion, a  court  of  inquiry,  by  order  of  General  Washington, 
sat  in  the  case  of  Major  Andre,  who  was  tried  and  execu- 
ted as  a  spy.     Even  without  the  intervention  of  a  court, 
the  General  could  have  decreed  his  death,  because  his  of- 
fence arose  not  under  any  municipal  regulation  of  ours, 
but  from  the  usages  of  war,  and  the  laws  of  nations. 

General  Washington  submitted  this  matter  to  the  deci- 
sion of  a  board  of  officers,  for  the  facts  to  be  considered  of 
and  recorded.  The  authority  conferred,  was  to  determine 
upon  the  nature  of  the  offence  imputed  against  the  prison- 
er, and  the  kind  and  description  of  the  punishment  due 
to  the  offence  with  which  he  stood  charged.     The  courts 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  299 

upon  mature  deliberation,  pronounced  him  a  spy,  and  that 
he  ought  to  be  punished  with  death — and  it  was  so  done; 
not  in  virtue  of  this  proffered  suggestion  and  opinion  of  the 
board,  but  by  the  commanding  general,  in  whose  hands 
abided  a  power  to  decree  execution.     What  Washington 
did,  in  the  case  of  Andre,  with  a  view  to  caution,  and 
that  the  world,  the  facts  being  accurately  preferred,  might 
correctly  judge,  the   same  did   Jackson  towards  the  less 
distinguished,  but  no  less  guilty  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister. 
The  proceedings  in  both  those  just  and  merited  tragedies, 
are  of  similar  import  and  character.    Not  fancy  can  draw 
a  line  of  difference  between  them,  save  that  in  the  case  of 
Andre,  the  opinion  of  the  court  and  the  commanding  Gene- 
ral being  in  perfect  accord,  both  obtained  execution;  where- 
as, in  the  other,  Jackson's,  whose  decision  and  judgment 
being  different,  though  paramount  to  the  court,  became  the 
executed  opinion.  Neither  of  the  parties  offending  had  vio- 
lated any  law  of  ours:  in  fact,  the  latter  being  within  a  fo- 
reign territory,  were  hence  beyond  the  legal  jurisdictional 
limits  of  the  United  States.   A  court  martial,  then,  whose 
powers  of  acting  exclusively  pertain  to  infractions  of  our 
own  enacted  laws,  could,  in  these  cases,  have  effected  no- 
thing: the  authority  to  punish  rested  alone  in  the  com- 
manding general;  yet  in  justification  and  from  caution,  he 
constituted  this  court,  with  no  other  viev/,  and  for  no  other 
purpose,  than  to  examine  and  record  the  facts;  this  being- 
done,  all  authority  on  the  part  of  the  court  ceased. 

After  General  Jackson  had  passed  the  frontiers  of 
Georgia,  and  penetrated  the  Indian  country,  an  unfortu- 
nate circumstance  arose,  which  led  to  a  warm  and  feeling 
correspondence  with  the  Governor  of  that  state,  (Rabun.) 
Passing  through  an  Indian  town,  Cheraw,  the  warriors  of 
the  village,  headed  by  Howard,  their  aged  chief,  came 
forth  to  meet  the  General,  avowed  a  desire  for  peace; 
and  as  evidence  of  their  earnestness  and  sincerity,  proffer- 
ed to  join  and  march  with  the  army.  Their  services  were 
not  wanted,  but  fearing,  if  rejected,  they  might  become 
restless  and  mischievous,  they  were  received.  To  the  old 
men,  and  to  the  women,  w^ho  were  left  behind,  protection 
and  safety  were  promised.  Shortly  after,  Captain  Wright, 
under  an  order  from  Governor  Rabun,  at  the  head  of  a 
militia  force  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  men,  detached 
from  Fort  Early,  advanced  upon  this  village,  and  there 
cruelly  assailed,  and  put  to  death,  its  inhabitants.     Their 


300  LIFE  OF  .GENERAL  JACKSON. 

chief,  the  aged  Howard,  was  shot  down,  while  bearing  in 
his  hand    a  white  flag:   his   grandson  shared    the   same 
fate.     In    two    hours    after    the   attack    commenced,   the 
town  was    in   flames,  and   the    whole    *Maid    completely 
desolate."  General    Jackson  had    passed  Fort  Gadsden, 
on  his  march  from  St.  Marks  to  Pensacola,  where  by  ex- 
press, a   letter  reached   him  from  General   Glascock  of 
the  Georgia  militia,  detailing  the  particulars  of  this  me- 
lancholy transaction.     At  the  instant,  under  the  impulse 
of  a  high  and  generous  feeling,  and  indignant  at  what  he 
conceived  a  wanton,  unnecessary  and  unprovoked  act,  to- 
wards those  who  had  confided  in  his  assurances,  and  sent 
forth  with  him  their  warriors  to  battle,  he  addressed  him- 
.self  to  Governor  Rabun,  and  a  warm  and  spirited  corres- 
pondence resulted.     The  Governor  was  told  that  he  had 
outraged  every  thing  of  law  and  right;  that  nothing  of  in- 
vasion or  insurrection  existed,  of  consequence  he  had  no 
authority  to  order  a  force  into  the  field,  and  to  commit 
ravages  in  his  rear,  where   all  was  peace  and  quietness. 
Captain  Davis  was   immediately  ordered  to   proceed   to 
Hartford,  arrest  Wright,  and  deliver  him  to  the  officer  in 
command  at  Fort  Hawkins,  until  the  pleasure  of  the  pre- 
sident could  be  known;  or  if  not  found  there,  to  call  upon 
the  Governor  of  Georgia,  to  have  the  order  carried  into 
efl'ect.     Davis  succeeded,  and   having  arrested  him,  pro- 
ceeded on  his  journey  towards  Fort  Hawkins,  when  at  a 
small    town,   through"  which   he  was  passing,    the    civil 
authority  interposed,  and  the  prisoner,  on  a  habeas   cor- 
pus, Mas  released.     Subsequently,  on  the  29th  of  May,  by 
orders  from  the  executive  of  Georgia,  he  was  again  arrest- 
ed ;  but  so  far  from  taking  any  precautionary  step  to  retain, 
and  subject  him  to  trial,  for  the  wrongs  he  had  committed, 
he  v.as  simply  placed  on   his  ;;f/ro/e  of  honour,  under    a 
promise  to  surrender  himself  when  he  should  be  required 
lo  do  so.      In  the  mean  time,  the  President  directed  him 
to  be  placed  in  possession  of  the  civil  authority  for  trial; 
intelligence  of  which  reaching  Captain    Wright,  on  the 
•27th  of  Julv  he  fled,  and  has  not  since  been  seen  in  the 
United  States.     He  retired  to  the  island  of  Cuba,  an  exile 
from  his  country. 

Governor  oi-  Florida,  and  evknis  thehk. 
Si'AiN  and  the  United  States,  early  in  1819,  concluded  a 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  301 

treaty,  by  the  provisions  of  which,  their  boundary  of  sepa- 
ration, west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  was  agreed  on,  and 
both  the  Floridas,  East  and  West,  ceded  to  the  United 
States. '  A  ratification  between  the  two  governments 
did  not  take  place  until  Febi-uary,  1821,  nor  did  the  ceded 
territory,  until  the  summer  of  that  year,  come  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  States.  By  the  President  and 
Senate,  General  Jackson  was  appointed  in  the  double  capa- 
city of  Commissioner  to  receive,  and  Governor  to  organize 
and  manage  the  aifairs  of  the  country,  with  powers  granted 
by  congress,  more  enlarged  and  more  extensive,  than  under 
the  provisions  of  our  constitution,  had  ever  been  granted  to 
any  one  before.  Either  through  want  of  time  to  enact  en- 
larged and  defined  rules  in  detail,  or  of  the  confidence  re- 
posed, congress  conceded  powers  so  unrestricted,  as  to  ren- 
der it  questionable  whether  they  did  not  even  step  beyond 
the  range  of  all  constitutional  sanction  and  propriety.  In 
one  sweeping  clause,  apart  from  all  restriction,  the  entire 
and  unlimited  power  which  the  Governor-general  of  Cuba 
could  exercise,  constituted  the  legislative  enactment  of  con- 
gress. It  was  in  reference  to  this  circumstance,  previously 
to  resigning  the  government  of  Florida,  a  situation  which 
he  held  only  about  seven  months,  when  the  General  express- 
ed a  wish  that  powers  so  unlimited  and  so  undefined,  might 
under  a  republican  government,  ne^er  again  be  confided 
into  the  hands  of  any  man;  that  they  were  dangerous  to 
liberty,  and  should  be  given  to  no  one.  In  virtue  of  this 
high  behest,  an  authority  to  exercise  whatever  power  the 
Governor-general  of  Cuba  could,  he  might,  to  say  nothing 
of  minor  matters,  have  conceded  and  granted  away  every 
foot  of  the  soil,  while  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  citi- 
zens rested,  and  were  dependant,  on  his  mere  will  and 
pleasure.  Under  this  undefined,  uncertain  grant  of  pow- 
er, his  authority  was  executive,  legislative  and  judicial, 
apart  from  all  restraint,  save  that  which  himself  might 
prescribe  to  himself.  Under  this  carte  blanche^  the  earliest 
act  of  his  administration  was  to  place  the  judiciary  of  the 
territory  on  some  certain  basis,  both  as  to  the  authority 
it  might  exercise,  and  the  manner  after  which  it  could  be 
done,  with  a  view  to  an  amicable  and  speedy  adjustment 
of  all  subsisting  differences  amongst  the  people. 

Acts  of  oppression  and  injustice  lor.g  exercised  over  the 
subjects  of  Spain  within  this  province,  now  when  the  go- 
vernment was  changed,  began  to  be  developed,  and  some 
c  c 


302  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

of  them  brought  before  the  consideration  of  the  Govern- 
or, in  his  judicial  capacity.  A  subject  of  Spain  in  Florida, 
(Vidal)  had  some  years  since,  as  far  back  as  1807,  died, 
leaving-  children,  to  whom  estates  of  considerable  value 
had  been  devised.  Fruitless  and  frequent  attempts  to  pro- 
cure an  adjustment  of  his  affairs  had  been  made;  and 
although  repeated  decrees  could  be  traced,  none  of  them 
had  ever  been  carried  into  effect.  The  government 
changed,  and  the  province  transferred,  the  claim  of  these 
heirs  was  brought  before  the  newly  constituted  authori- 
ties, for  examination  and  decision,  when  the  records  ne- 
cessary to  a  full  and  complete  understanding  of  the  case 
were  wanted.  A  most  important  and  material  paper,  the 
testament  of  the  father,  to  ascertain  the  rights  of  his  chil- 
dren, did  not  appear,  and  to  procure  it  became  a  matter 
of  the  first  necessity. 

Preparatory  to  decision,  an  affidavit  was  filed  by  the 
Alcade,  alledging  the  original  will  to  be  in  the  hands  of  a 
certain  Spaniard,  (Sousa)  at  Pensacola;  a  rule  was  grant- 
ed for  him  to  produce  it;  but  instead  of  complying  with 
the  demand,  it  was  carried  over  to  the  steward  of  Colonel 
Callava,  the  former  Governor  of  Florida,  by  whom  it  was 
directly  placed  amongst  the  Governor's  papers.  Being 
now  by  the  showing-  of  the  original  possession,  and  by  the 
steward,  traced  to  the  occupancy  of  Colonel  Callava,  under 
whose  protection,  and  in  whose  custody,  the  persons  in 
adverse  interest  conceived  it  would  be  inviolate,  a  rule  was 
had,  to  show  cause  why  an  attachment  should  not  be  sued 
out  against  the  Colonel,  in  whose  possession  it  was.  He 
was  required  to  produce  the  paper,  that  the  rights  of  these 
children  might  be  ascertained.  Compliance  was  positively 
refused,  and  an  entire  inability  to  determine  the  judicial 
question  was  thus  presented.  Conciliatory  measures  were 
resorted  to,  but  without  any  beneficial  result.  By  a  stipu- 
lation contained  in  the  treaty  concluded  between  the  United 
States  and  Spain,  the  public  archives  were  to  be  surren- 
dered; and  if  this  will  of  Vidal,  on  which  depended  the 
rights  of  property  in  his  children,  and  which  should  have 
been  entered  on  the  public  records,  did  not  merit  to  be 
classed  under  this  head,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  what  was 
indeed  intended  by  the  inserted  clause  of  the  treaty  con- 
cluded between  the  two  governments. 

The  belief  entertained  by  Callava  was,  that  under  the 
garb' of  privilege,  and  his  late  office,  his  papers,  and  more 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  303 

especially  his  person,  would  be  altogether  sacrld — not  to 
be  interfered  with.  He  had  been  too  long  governor,  ex- 
empted from  any  thing  of  control,  to  be  able  to  forget  his 
now  altered  condition,  and  bring  his  mind  to  the  conclu- 
sion, that  any  authority  could  disturb  the  privileged  dig- 
nity which  he  conceived  rightfully  attached  to  his  situa- 
tion. General  Jackson,  at  his  office,  for  two  hours,  endea- 
voured to  impress  on  his  mind  the  propriety  and  necessity 
of  the  records  being  delivered,  suggesting  to  him  that  a 
refusal  could  be  viewed  in  no  other  light  than  a  contempt 
of  his  authority.  It  failed  of  success — Callava  refused, 
insisting,  that  "being  a  commissioner,  he  was  privileged, 
and  therefore  answerable  to  no  one."  This  reasoning,  and 
supposed  privilege,  was  lost  upon  Jackson.  It  was  enough 
for  him,  that  the  required  paper  was  in  his  hands,  and 
that  upon  it  depended  the  rights  of  others.  Although 
Governor  Callava  had  been  charged  with  the  delivery  of 
the  territory  of  Florida,  now  that  the  trust  had  been  exe- 
cuted, and  new  forms  and  a  nev.'  .government  established, 
he  could  no  longer  be  considered  a  diplomatic  functionary, 
surrounded  with  privileges,  but  as  the  citizen  of  a  foreign 
country,  and  liable  and  subject  to  all  the  judicial  applica- 
tions of  our  own.  Under  the  mandate  of  the  court  he  re- 
fused to  deliver  the  will.  Lenient  and  persuasive  measures 
were  resorted  to,  but  without  effect:  he  would  not  deliver 
them;  when,  for  the  contempt  thus  offered  to  the  authority 
of  the  court,  Jackson,  sitting  as  judge,  directed  an  attach- 
ment to  be  issued,  and  Callava,  in  pursuance  of  the  man- 
date, was  arrested.  That  the  will  might  not  be  secreted, 
or  made  away  with,  which  v/as  clearly  ascertained  to  be  in 
his  possession,  a  guard,  consisting  of  a  corporal  and  three 
men,  was  placed  at  his  door,  with  orders  to  permit  nothing 
to  pass  from  the  house,  or  any  thing  to  be  interrupted;  in 
the  mean  time,  three  commissioners,  with  the  Alcade, 
were  appointed  to  examine  the  public  boxes,  and  particu- 
larly that  in  which  the  paper  wanted  by  the  court  was  said 
to  be  deposited.  The  examination  being  made,  it  was 
found  and  delivered  over  to  the  court,  and  thereupon  Cal- 
lava was  discharged  from  his  arrest  and  imprisonment. 
It  is  difficult  to  conceive  what  could  have  induced  this  ob- 
stinate and  perverse  course:  that  something  of  motive  and 
interest  was  the  inducing  cause,  may,  when  all  the  attend- 
ant circumstances  are  considered,  be  well  conjectured.  The 
will  being  obtained,  and  a  final  hearing  of  the  matter  had,  a 


304  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

decree  w^  pronounced  in  favour  of  Vidal's  heirs.  Without 
it,  they  must  and  ^vould  have  been  deprived  of  the  estate  in- 
tended to  be  devised  to  them  by  their  ancestor.  They  were 
children,  whose  rights  had  been  long  withheld;  they  were 
at  length  restored  to  their  possessions,  alone  by  the  ener- 
getic course  pursued  by  Jackson;  mild  and  lenient  mea- 
sures could  not  have  secured  the  end  and  object  desired, 
and  which  justice  required  to  be  extended. 

To  this  pursued  course,  many  without  an  accurate 
knowledge  of  the  circumstances,  have  been  opposed,  and 
the  act  decried  through  the  country  as  contrary  to  that 
courtesy  which  wt.s  due  to  a  diplomatic  functionary.  The 
defence  to  this  suggestion  is,  what  Jackson  himself  has 
urged.  He  w^as  not  an  accj-edited  diplomatic  character. 
It  is  true.  Colonel  Callava,  a  military  officer,  had,  by  the 
Governor-general  of  Cuba,  been  appointed  a  commission- 
er to  deliver  over  the  country  to  the  United  States.  The 
stipulations  of  the  treaty  were,  that  in  six  months,  or 
earlier,  from  the  ratification,  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
Spain  should  be  withdrawn  from  the  territory  of  Florida, 
and  possession  given  of  all  occupied  places.  The  moment, 
then,  that  the  duties  assigned  him  to  perform,  were  exe- 
cuted, his  official  character  was  merged  ;  while  continuing 
beyond  the  period  stipulated  in  the  treaty  for  his  depar- 
ture, he  was  to  be  considered  amenable  to  the  laws,  to  the 
extent  that  any  other  foreign  citizen  or  subject  would  be. 
Jackson,  accordingly,  refused  to  consider  him  entitled  to 
the  personal  rights,  privileges  and  courtesies  of  a  minis- 
ter, especially  when  by  doing  so,  it  necessarily  placed  at 
hazard  the  interest  and  rights  of  unprotected  orphan  chil- 
dren. Considering  Callava  entitled  to  none  of  those  pri- 
vileges pertaining  to  foreign  ministers  or  agents,  he  com- 
pelled forcibly  a  surrender  of  the  papers,  and  having 
obtained  them,  directly  ordered  his  discharge  from  arrest. 
General  Jackson,  in  a  communication  made  to  the  secre- 
tary of  state,  details  the  particulars  of  this  transaction, 
and  employs  the  following  language:^'!  could  not  view 
Colonel  Callava  in  any  other  light  than  that  of  a  private 
individual,  charged  with  violating  the  rights  of  others, 
and  setting  my  authority  at  defiance.  I  did  believe,  and 
ever  will  believe,  that  just  laws  can  make  no  distinction  of 
privilege  between  the  rich  and  the  poor:  and  that  when 
men  of  high  standing  attempt  to  trample  on  the  rights  of 
the  weak,  they  are  the  fittest  objects  for  example  and  pu- 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  305  - 

nishment.  In  general,  the  great  can  protect  themselves; 
but  the  poor  and  humble  require  the  arm  and  the  shield  of 
the  law.  Colonel  Callava's  powers  having  closed  here 
with  the  surrender  of  the  country,  it  was  only  a  display, 
and  so  considered  by  me,  of  pompous  arrogance,  in  his 
claiming  the  privileges  of  diplomacy,  which  in  fact  he  never 
possessed;  and  his  powers  having  ceased,  his  commission 
accomplished,  the  pretension  which  he  set  up  was  an  in- 
sult to  the  weakest  understanding.  There  are  other  and 
many  complaints  by  Spanish  subjects  here  of  documents 
relating  to  private  property  being  missing  from  the  Ai- 
cade's  office.  If  proof  is  had,  where  they  are,  demands 
will  be  made;  and  I  hope  the  precedent  set,  will  prevent 
the  necessity  of  again  exercising  those  painful  measures 
to  coerce  their  production.  But  should  such  occur,  I 
shall  not  shrink  from  my  duty,  however  painful  it  may  be 
to  my  feelings  to  exercise  such  authority  for  the  security 
of  those  individuals,  who,  under  the  treaty,  look  to  our 
government  for  the  protection  of  their  rights. '' 

Incensed  at  what  v/as  conceived  an  outrage  on  their 
chief  and  former  governor,  on  the  22d  of  September,  the 
Spanish  officers  remaining  at  Pensacola,  issued  an  angry 
and  insulting  bulletin  to  the  public,  impugning  and  arraign- 
ing the  proceedings  of  the  court,  and  the  conduct  of  the 
Judge.  In  consequence  of  this  act  of  impropriety  to  the 
judicial  department,  and  because  being  officers  of  Spain, 
they  should  by  the  treaty  have  withdrawn  themselves  from 
the  country  in  six  months,  which  limitation  had  already 
expired,  Jackson  issued  an  official  order,  ordering  and  com- 
manding them  to  depart  from  the  territory  by  the  3rd  of 
October.  Owing  nothing  of  allegiance  to  the  country,  and 
concerned  not  for  its  harmony  or  good  government,  but 
disposed  to  disturb  it,  he  conceived  it  proper  for  them  to 
depart,  especially,  as  by  the  provisions  of  the  treaty,  it 
was  imposed  on  them  as  a  duty  to  do  so.  At  the  appoint- 
ed day  they  took  their  departure  from  the  country.  Sub- 
sequently, however,  and  after  that  General  Jackson  had 
left  Florida  for  Tennessee,  and  indeed  resigned  his  com- 
mission of  Governor,  some  of  those  officers,  in  defiance 
of  the  proclamation,  yet  unrevoked,  returned  to  Pensacola 
from  Cuba.  Mr.  Walton,  of  Georgia,  the  acting  secre- 
tary, who  had  been  left  in  discharge  of  the  executive 
duties,  immediately  had  them  arrested,  or  rather  issued 
an  order,  restricting  them  to  their  houses,  and  requiring 
c  c  2 


306  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

them  not  to  appear  at  large  in  the  city,  until  the  Govern- 
or's opinion,  who  was  then  in  Tennessee,  or  that  of  the 
President,  could  be  ascertained.  In  the  mean  time,  Jack- 
son had  resigned  his  office,  while  from  Washington  city, 
through  the  Secretary  of  State,  an  order  was  returned,  to 
liberate  those  officers  from  their  qualified  arrest.  Here 
the  matter  ended.  General  Jackson  retired  a  private  citi- 
zen to  his  own  residence  near  Nashville,  and  the  govern- 
ment of  the  territory,  now  organized,  was  confided  to  Mr. 
Duval  of  Kentucky,  with  powers  regulated  and  restricted  by 
the  congress  which  convened  in  the  following  winter,  1822» 
Colonel  Callava,  highly  displeased  at  the  treatment  he 
had  received  from  Governor  Jackson,  left  Pensacola,  and 
proceeded  immediately  to  the  city  of  Washington.  No- 
thing certainly  is  known  as  to  the  design  of  his  visit  to 
our  capital,  though  the  inference  readily  arises  that  his 
object  was,  through  Vives,  the  resident  minister  of  Spain, 
to  make  known  his  complaints  and  his  grievances.  What 
course  was  pursued,  remains  amongst  the  executive  secrets 
of  the  times:  nothing  upon  that  subject  has  yet  been  dis- 
closed. At  any  rate,  if  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  city  was 
to  obtain  redress  for  conceived  indignities,  failure  was  the 
consequence.  Tl\at  such  was  his  object  is  rendered  pro- 
bable, apart  from  any  positive  information  on  the  subject, 
by  the  tenor  of  the  President's  communication  to  congress, 
■which  shortly  afterwards  convened.  The  language  of 
the  message  relative  to  the  archives  to  be  surrendered  by 
the  treaty,  and  for  a  violation  of  which,  the  i-upture  between 
Jackson  and  Callava  was  produced,  is  this:  *' Possession 
of  East  and  West  Florida  has  been  given  to  the  United 
States;  but  the  officers  charged  with  that  service,  have  noi 
only  omitted,  in  contravention  of  the  orders  of  their  Sove- 
reign, the  performance  of  the  express  stipulation,  to  deli- 
ver over  the  archives  and  documents  relating  to  the  proper- 
ty and  sovereignty  of  these  provinces,  all  of  which,  it  was 
expected  would  have  been  delivered,  either  before  or  when 
the  troops  were  withdrawn,  but  defeated  since,  every  effi^rt 
of  the  United  States  to  obtain  them."  This  opinion  of 
the  President  seems  to  be  in  exact  conformity  to  that 
which  Jackson  entertained  and  practised  upon.  Callava 
was  evidently  wrong,  and  acted  entirely  from  a  mistaken 
belief  as  to  his  rights.  Being  an  official  character  for  the 
mere  purpose  of  delivering  over  the  country,  his  imagina- 
tion had  conjured  to  him  that  he  had  authority  to  carry  off 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  307 

at  his  mere  pleasure,  any  and  every  record  upon  which  de- 
pended the  rights  and  property  of  others,  and  that  no  autho- 
rity adequate  to  its  prevention  existed.  The  common 
sense  doctrines  of  Jacksort's  mind  told  him  differently,  and 
that  over  and  above  other  persons  he  had  no  privilege 
superior  to  the  treaty  and  the  law ;  and  of  consequence  he 
compelled  him  to  do  what  a  sense  of  right,  and  his  own 
notions  of  justice  ought  to  have  dictated  to  him  as  correct 
and  proper. 

Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  proceedings  of  General 
Jackson  in  Florida,  which  have  been  reprobated  by  some 
from  an  honest  conviction  that  his  measures  were  too  de- 
cided and  strong:  and  by  others,  either  from  a  proneness 
to  censure  him  in  all  things,  or  that  they  were  ignorant 
of  all  the  attendant  facts  and  circumstances.  One  thing 
may  be  said  of  him  with  greater  truth  than  any  other  now 
living,  that  whatever  objections  may  have  been  raised  at 
any  time  as  to  the  manner  of  working  to  his  results,  even 
his  enemies  have  always  conceded  that  the  end  he  had  in 
view  was  honest,  and  his  motives  ever  pure  and  correct. 
If  to  any  of  his  public  acts,  error  has  at  any  time  been 
attributed,  the  admission  both  from  friends  and  foes  ever 
has  been,  that  his  intentions  were  good,  and  his  way  through 
the  paths  that  justice  pointed.  Such  justification  is  ample 
acquittal.  Than  this  no  better  defence  can  be  offered 
against  the  constant  frailties  and  imperfections  to  which 
human  nature  is  every  where  subjected. 

Besides  the  extensive  and  unlimited  authority  confided 
by  congress  to  Jackson  as  Governor  of  Florida,  a  salary  of 
five  thousand  dollars  was  attached  to  the  office.  Whether, 
therefore,  power  or  pecuniary  advantage  was  looked  to, 
the  situation  could  not  but  prove  a  desirable  one.  He  was 
entirely  supreme.  No  legislation  had  taken  place  in  refer- 
ence to  what  he  should  do,  or  what  omit.  The  revenue 
and  slave  laws  had  by  act  of  congress  alone  been  extended 
to  the  territory,  none  other:  even  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  all  the  rights  v/hich  it  secures,  was 
wholly  inoperative,  because  by  no  legislative  exercise  of 
authority  had  its  provisions  been  extended  thither :  to 
Jackson,  and  to  his  discretion,  every  thing,  civil  and  mili- 
tary, had  been  confided;  and  yet,  with  all  these  high  pri- 
vileges and  powers,  with  the  exception  of  Judge  Fromen- 
tin,  no  complaint  was  made  against  his  government,  save 
what   arose   from  enforcing  justice   against    the  former 


308  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

governor,  Callava,  who  would  have  relied  upon  the  sup- 
posed dignity   and  elevation    of   his  character  to  inflict 
wrong  and  injury  on  a  parcel  of  unprotected  orphans.    It 
was  during  the  examination  of  this  case  of  Vidal's  heirs, 
and  after  that  so  fierce  and  unpleasant  a  struggle  for  secu- 
ring the  records  of  their  rights  had  taken  place,  that  Go- 
vernor Jackson,   sitting  in  his  judicial  character,  declared 
the  regret  he  felt  at  being  clothed  with  authority  so  unli- 
mited and  undefined,  and  so  inconsistent  with  every  thing 
of  republican  usage  and  propriety.  Notwithstanding  the  ex- 
tensive powers  thus  conferred,  in  the  possession  of  which, 
as  is  averred  by  those  opposed  to  him,  he  so  much  delights, 
no  sooner  was  the  government  of  Florida  properly  or- 
ganized, and   placed  upon  a  secure  basis,  than  he  retired 
from  it  to  his  own  farm  :   than  this,  '*  ambition  should  be 
made  of  sterner  stuff."     To  a  little  mind,  proud  of  brief 
authority,  here  was  a  field  presented  where  it  might  have 
wantoned  and  revelled  to  the  extent  of  ambition's  desire : 
superior  to  such  matters,  Jackson's  disposition  and  judg- 
ment roused,  and  led  him  to  prefer  his  own  quiet  and  in- 
dependent habitation. 

Besides  the  cases  adverted  to,  one  other  arose  by  which 
some  slight,  though  momentary  excitement,  was  occa- 
sioned. Mr.  Fromentin,  a  creole  Frenchman,  and  lately 
a  senator  from  Louisiana,  was  appointed  by  the  president 
a  judge  in  Florida.  It  is  questionable  whether  he  should 
have  been  placed  there.  The  constitution  declares  *'  that 
a  member  of  congress  shall  not  be  eligible  to  an  office 
which  may  be  created,  or  the  emoluments  of  which  may 
be  increased  during  the  time  for  which  he  was  elected; 
the  object  of  this  inhibitory  provision,  doubless  was,  to 
preserve  the  purity  of  the  body,  and  to  guard  the  mem- 
bers from  every  thing  of  inducement  for  the  sale  of  office. 
Mr.  Fromentin  was  a  member  of  the  United  States  senate, 
before  whom  the  treaty  came,  and  by  whose  vote  it  was 
ratified.  To  be  appointed  to  any  office  arising  under  the 
known  operation  of  that  treaty  when  ratified,  if  not  within 
the  letter,  was  certainly  within  the  spirit  and  meaning  of 
the  inhibitions  of  the  constitution.  He  was,  however, 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  territory.  When  Callava,  for 
the  causes  before  shown,  was  committed  for  his  conduct, 
this  gentleman,  claiming  in  virtue  of  his  judicial  trust,  to 
be  superior  to  the  governor,  who  had  all  the  powers  of 
^the  captain  general  of  Cuba,  issued  a  writ  of  habeas  cor- 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  309 

pus,  commanding-  the  prisoner  to  be  brought  before  him, 
that  the  judgment  of  his  superior  might  be  inquired  into, 
and  set  aside. 

Mr.  Fromentin  on  reaching  Florida,  to  enter  on  a  dis- 
charge of  his  duties,  sought  an  interview  with  General 
.  Jackson,  to  determine  as  to  the  extent  of  the  authority  he 
could    claim    under   his    commission.     The   information 
given,  and  the  conclusion  arrived  at,  was,  that  as  the  legis- 
lation of  congress  had  neither  extended  the  provisions  of 
the  constitution  nor  of  any  of  the  laws,  to  Florida,  save 
those  which  appertained  to  the  revenue,  and  to  the  impor- 
tation of  slaves,  in  his  character  of  judge  he  could  assert 
the   exercise  of  no  other  authority;  and   so   the  matter 
seemed  to  be  agreed  and  understood.     When  under  this 
understanding,  and  these  circumstances,  he  undertook  to 
call,  by  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  before  him,  one  committed 
for  contempt  by  the  highest  tribunal  known  to  the  laws, 
it  was  calculated  to  excite  surprise.     The  officer  charged 
with  the  execution  of  the  order  relative  to  Callava,  before 
aciing  upon  the  writ  which  was  issued,  almost  correspond- 
ently  with  the  commitment,  carried  it  to  Governor  Jack- 
son, to  inquire  and  ascertain  the  course  he  should  pursue. 
He  was  directed  to   disregard  it,  and  he  did  so.      Judge 
Fromentin  was  immediately  cited  to   appear  before  the 
Governor.     He  pleaded  in  reply,  indisposition — an  attack 
of  rheumatism.     The  next  day  he  came.  He  was  now  in- 
formed again  of  the  conceived  extent  of  his  powers,  as 
before  they  had  been  explained,  and  that  he  must  keep 
within  their  pale,  nor  venture  beyond  them.     This  posi- 
tive course  was  pursued  by  Jackson,  because  he  well  knew 
that  the  extent  of  Mr.  Fromentin's  authority  had  previ- 
ously been  a  subject  of  conversation   and  understanding, 
and  because  from  the  impetration  of  the  writ  so  speedily 
after  the  arrest,  the  obstinacy  of  Callava,  and  bther  cir- 
cumstances disclosed,  he  presumed  the  whole  matter  of 
contest  had  previously  been  agreed    on,    and  concerted. 
The   judge    apologised    for   his    conduct,   and    was  dis- 
charged; but  conceiving  this  exercised  authority  a  high  in- 
dignity to  himself  and  to  his  office,  shortly  afterwards  pub- 
lished some  angry  letters,  complaining  in  most  intempe- 
rate language,  of  the  conduct  practised  by  the  governor 
towards  him.     That  Jackson,   possessed  of  unrestrained 
and  unlimited  power,  should  question  his  brief  authority, 
and,  under  the  existing  circumstances  of  this  particular 


310  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

case,  place  it  at  naught,  was  conceived  by  Mr.  Fromen- 
tin,  a  high  exercise  of  tyranny,  and  an  outrage  of  judi- 
cial countenance.  Because  he  held  the  commission  of 
judge,  the  conclusion  was  arrived  at,  that  he  carried  with 
him  to  the  territory  the  constitution  of  the  United  States, 
and  each  and  every  of  their  statutes;  although  those  re- 
lating to  the  revenue,  and  to  the  importation  of  slaves, 
had  alone  been  extended. 

The  6th  of  October,  being  on  the  eve  of  departing  from 
Florida  for  Tennessee,  General  Jackson,  through  the  pub- 
lic journals  at  Pensacola,  addressed  himself  to  the  people 
of  the  territory,  explaining  to  them  the  reasons  and  the 
motives  under  v/hich  he  had  acted.  He  referred  to  the 
collision  in  which  he  had  been  placed  with  Colonel  Cal- 
lava,  late  governor  of  Florida,  and  satisfactorily,  though 
concisely  explained,  the  nature  and  origin  of  the  contest. 
Adverting  to  this,  which  he  declared  an  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstance, he  employed  this  language: 

"The  American  government,  at  the  same  time  that  it 
is  the  freest,  is  perhaps  the  strongest  in  the  world;  be- 
cause the  most  wealthy  and  most  powerful  in  society  are 
as  weak  in  opposition  to  it  as*  the  most  humble  and  ob- 
scure: it  knows  no  distinction  between  an  ex-governor  and 
a  peasant.  In  the  course  of  my  short  administration,  one 
case  has  unfortunately  occurred,  which  required  the  exer- 
tion of  that  authority,  which  is  no  respecter  of  persons. 
That  the  necessity  should  have  existed,  has  occasioned 
me  pain  and  regret.  It  was  my  duty,  under  the  treaty, 
exercising  the  government  of  the  Florid  as,  to  secure  to 
the  inhabitants  all  the  evidences  of  their  right  of  property. 
The  improper  conduct  of  the  captain  general  at  Havanna, 
in  withholding  documents  of  this  nature  from  an  agent 
sent  expressly  to  receive  them,  increased  the  necessity  of 
vigilance  on  my  part,  that  the  inhabitants  might  be  secured 
in  their  rights  of  property.  Whatever  diplomatic  privile- 
ges he  (Callava)  might  have  been  entitled  to,  these  had 
ceased  upon  the  surrender  of  the  territory,  and  he  was 
then  not  known  to  me,  or  recognised  as  having  any 
other  rights  than  those  of  a  common  individual.  It  was 
not  enough  for  him  to  consider  himself  a  public  agent  of 
the  king  of  Spain,  and  to  reside  here  for  the  purpose  of 
transacting  official  business  with  the  agents  of  the  United 
States,  but  it  was  necessary  he  should  have  made  known 
the  object  and  purpose  of  his  stay;  had  he  done  so,  he 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  3  I  1 

would  have  been  informed  at  once  by  me,  that  my  own 
functions  had  ceased  as  commissioner,  and  that  no  one 
but  the  president  of  the  United  States  had  any  power  to 
give  him  permission  to  remain  as  a  diplomatic  agent,  en- 
joying the  privileges  of  a  foreign  minister." 

In  the  same  publication,  he  submitted  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  public  in  justification  of  the  measures  he  had 
adopted,  the  reasons  which  had  induced  him  to  proceed 
towards  the  Spanish  officers  after  the  manner  he  had,  in 
requiring  and  directing  those  at  Pensacola  to  depart  the 
territory  within  four  days.  At  this  produced  disturbance 
with  Callava  and  his  officers,  Jackson  expresses  his  re- 
gret, though  great  satisfaction  that  no  other  cases  had 
arisen  to  interrupt  the  harmony  of  the  government;  but, 
that  the  measure  was  imposed  upon  him,  as  necessary  and 
essential  to  the  maintenance  of  respect  to  the  judicial 
character  of  the  country.  "This  respect,"  he  remarked, 
*'is  due  from  foreign  officers  in  all  countries;  for  what 
tends  to  bring  the  judiciary  into  disrepute,  shakes  the 
public  confidence  in  that  part  of  the  government  that  is 
looked  upon  as  the  most  sacred  depository  of  individual 
rights.  Had  I  consulted  my  personal  feelings,  having  en- 
tertained a  favourable  opinion  of  some  of  them,  and  enmity 
to  none,  I  should  have  been  disposed  to  have  suffiired  the 
act  to  sink  into  oblivion;  but  the  dignity  and  honour  of 
the  government  forbade  that  conduct  so  outrageous, 
should  pass  unnoticed.  I  might  appeal  to  those  very  per- 
sons, to  ask,  what  would  be  the  consequence  if  a  band  of 
American  officers  should  offer  such  an  insult  to  the  govern- 
ment of  a  Spanish  province." 

General  Jackson,  on  accepting  the  appointment  of  go- 
vernor of  Florida,  did  so  with  an  avowal,  that  he  would 
consent  to  retain  it  only  until  the  government  of  the  terri- 
tory could  be  placed  under  a  system  of  proper  organiza- 
tion; this  being  effected,  he  retired  from  the  bustle  of 
office,  and  again  sought  upon  his  farm  retirement  and  ease. 
Shortly  after  this,  the  United  States  having  recognised  the 
independence  of  the  South  American  states,  a  solicitude 
was  felt  by  Mr.  Monroe  to  place  Jackson  in  the  character 
of  minister,  with  full  powers,  representing  the  interest  of 
this  country  at  the  republic  of  Mexico.  This,  however, 
he  refused  to  accept:  the  reason  presented  by  him  was, 
that  the  Emperor  Iturbide,  having  usurped  the  liberty  of 
his  country,  he,  as  the  republican  minister  of  a  republican 


312  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSOX. 

country,  by  his  presence  could  not  yield  a  sanction  to  that 
usurpation,  and  thus  afford  to  him  encouragement  in  the 
career  he  was  pursuing.  The  history  and  the  events  of 
that  period  prove  his  forebodings  to  have  been  correct, 
for  very  shortly  afterwards,  the  people  of  Mexico,  wearied 
with  the  actual  or  conceived  strides  at  power  of  Iturbide, 
deposed  him  from  office,  and  banished  him  from  the  coun- 
try: again  returning  to  it  in  disguise,  in  opposition  to  the 
edict  that  had  been  promulgated,  he  was  sentenced  to 
death,  and  executed :  thus  perished  a  man,  who,  at  the  on- 
set of  his  career,  had  filled  every  where  the  friends  of 
freedom  and  reform  with  brilliant  hope  and  expectation. 
But  the  repeated  demands  of  his  state  upon  him  to  of- 
fice were  yet  not  satisfied,  and  again  was  proffered  a  desire 
that  he  would  consent  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  senate  of  the 
United  States.  A  letter  on  this  subject  was  despatched 
to  his  residence,  containing  an  assurance  that  the  legisla- 
ture desired  his  services,  and  expressing  a  wish  that  he 
would  consent  to  serve.  The  answer  returned  to  this 
application  was,  that  he  greatly  desired  retirement  from 
the  fatigues  and  cares  of  office:  that  there  were  others, 
who  from  age  would  be  better  than  himself  calculated  to 
meet  the  distance  and  fatigues  of  the  journey;  yet,  if 
under  full  consideration,  the  members  insisted  on  his  ser- 
vices, he  knew  not  how  to  refuse,  and  could  not.  "It 
might  be  thought,"  said  he,  "  and  would  be  said,  that  the 
appointment  had  been  conferred  by  his  state,- and  sought 
for  by  him,  v/ith  a  view  to  other  objects  and  ("or  other  pur- 
poses, at  present  pending  before  the  nation.  I  have, 
therefore,  (continues  he,)  earnestly  to  request  of  my  friends, 
not  to  press  me  to  an  acceptance  of  the  appointment  cf 
senator:  if  appointed,  I  could  not  decline:  and  yet  in  ac- 
cepting I  should  do  great  violence  to  my  feelings  and  my 
wishes."  In  two  or  three  days  afterwards,  the  legislature 
proceeded  to  an  election,  and  Jackson  was  chosen.  In 
December,  1823,  he  took  his  seat,  and  during  that  and  the 
succeeding  session  continued  faithfully  and  industriously 
to  execute  the  duties  of  his  station.  In  the  autumn  of  1 824, 
the  legislature  of  Tennessee  being  again  in  session,  he 
gave  back  into  their  hands  the  appointment  they  had  con- 
ferred, when  Hugh  L.  White  was  chosen  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. The  assigned  reason  for  doing  this  was,  that 
placed  before  the  American  people  for  the  office  of  Pre- 
sident, having  been  again  nominated,  he  could  not  consent 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  313 

to  retain  a  situation,  where  his  every  act  might  be  as- 
cribed to  personal  and  selfish  considerations.  According- 
ly, he  once  more  retired  to  private  life,  remaining  on  his 
own  farm,  and  attending  exclusively  to  his  own  affairs. 
With  the  exception  of  a  visit  recently  made  to  New 
Orleans,  through  an  invitation  from  the  legislature  of 
Louisiana  to  celebrate  the  glorious  victory  of  the  8th,  he 
has  never  ventured  abroad,  notwithstanding  the  pressing 
solicitations  that  have  been  extended.  The  inducing  cause 
with  him  to  this  course,  and  perhaps  with  some  of  the 
great  men  of  the  country  it  may  appear  peculiar,  and 
exclusively  pertaining  to  himself,  is,  that  the  office  of 
President  of  the  United  States  when  intrigued  after,  or 
electioneered  for,  stands  stripped  of  its  honours,  its  con- 
sequence and  character;  and  above  all,  that  such  a  course, 
in  quest  of  such  an  object,  is  of  injurious  and  demorali- 
zing tendency.  The  chief  magistracy  of  a  free  country  is 
altogether  valueless,  and  of  empty  import,  save  when  it  is 
conferred  freely — the  gift  of  freemen,  unbiased  and_un- 
corrupted,  apart  from  the  fear  of  office  to  be  lost,  or  the 
hope  of  office  to  be  obtained :  when  thus  obtained,  no 
prouder  station  is  known  to  man;  differently  procured,  it 
is  mere  empty  pageantry,  an  idle  no'thing,  a  post  of  dis- 
trust, disrespect,  suspicion  and  trouble — its  cares  survive, 
while  the  blooming  honours  that  hang  around  must  lie 
withered,  and  sickly,  and  blighted.     Who  thus  succeeds, 

**  Much  sorrow  shall  he  feel,  and  even  more 
Than  any  « lave,  who  labours  at  the  oar." 

This  visit  to  New  Orleans  was  of  soul  inspiring  charac- 
ter. Thousands  had  convened,  specially  to  welcome  the 
man  who,  in  the  darkest  peril,  had  stood  by  the  side  of  his 
country,  "to  shield  her,  and  save  her,  or  perish."  Com- 
panions in  arms,  who  at  the  siege  had  borne  privations  and 
in  continued  dangers,  and  side  by  side,  met  and  resisted 
the  enemy,  crowded  to  the  battle  ground,  the  scene  of 
their  former  danger,  there  to  welcome,  and  again  to  grasp 
the  hand  of  their  defender  and  chieftain.  It  was  as  **  the 
memory  of  past  joys,  soft  soothing  and  pleasant  to  the 
soul;"  it  was  the  rapid,  fervid  trace  of  the  imagination 
back  to  those  hours  of  watchfulness  and  exertion,  when  dan- 
gers were  met,  privations  encountered,  an  enemy  foiled,  a 
country  defended,  and  the  hallowed  principles  of  liberty 
D  d 


314  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

preserved,  protected  and  saved.  A  number  of  steam 
boats,  decorated  after  the  most  tasteful  manner,  represent- 
ing the  different  states  of  the  union,  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  ^t  the  firing  of  a  signal  gun,  united  and  formed  a 
procession  to  the  battle  ground,  below  the  city.  The  re- 
ception and  ceremonies  being  there  ended,  they  returned 
in  the  same  order  to  the  city,  where  the  state  authorities 
received  and  welcomed  as  their  guest,  him,  who  on  that 
day  thirteen  years,  had  proved  their  deliverer. 

While  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  General 
Jackson  was  ever  found  ardent  in  his  course,  free  from 
every  thing  of  motive,  and  faithful  in  discharge  of  the 
duties  before  him :  zeal  for  the  despatch  of  business,  and 
persevering  industry,  with  him  were  of  marked  and  evi- 
dent character.  He  did  not  wear  out  the  time  of  legisla- 
tion with  frequent  or  long  discourses:  save  to  explain, 
and  to  present  in  detail  matters  proceeding  from  the  Mili- 
tary Committee,  of  which  he  v/as  chairman,  he  seldom 
offered  any  remarks  to  the  senate.  On  two  occasions, 
however,  during  the  first  session,  when  important  matters 
impended,  he  participated  in  the  presented  discussions; 
and  to  those  who  previously  had  considered  him  a  mere 
soldier,  an  unskilled  statesman,  he  afforded  evidences  of  a 
mind  and  capacity  no  less  fitted  for  the  cabinet  than  the 
field.  One  of  the  presented  questions  v.as  in  reference  to 
the  policy  proper  to  be  pursued  by  the  government  in  re- 
lation to  the  Indians  of  this  country,  who  in  the  anoma- 
lous capacity  of  distinct  and  independent  sovereignties, 
within  the  limits  of  our  own  territorial  jurisdiction,  are 
treated  with  as  such,  and  recognised  as  independent  of  our 
laws.  In  this  discussion  no  senator  appeared  save  him- 
self and  Mr.  Rufus  King  of  New  York.  The  importance 
given  to  it  by  both  speakers,  was  of  a  character  peculiarly 
to  interest  all  who  were  present,  and  to  induce  other  mem- 
bers to  forbear  all  participation:  to  them  alone  was  the 
matter  yielded,  apart  from  the  interference  of  others; 
Jackson  maintaining,  with  his  own  personal  observation 
introduced  to  prove  the  accuracy  of  the  assertion,  that  the 
treaty  making  power  as  applicable  to  Indians,  was  a  sys- 
tem of  demoralizing  effect — of  bribery  and  corruption, 
wherein  a  few  leading  men  and  chiefs  became  possessed 
of  all  the  favours  and  benefits  of  the  government,  to  the  en- 
tire exclusion  of  the  poorer  classes  of  the  tribes:  justice 
could  alone  be  produced  to  them  by  some  more  fostering 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  315 

and  paternal  care  on  the  part  of  the  general  government, 
by  some  system  to  be  resorted  to  different  from  that  which 
prevailed.  This  being  in  executive  session,  at  a  time 
when  all  persons  are  excluded  from  the  senate,  no  report 
of  what  passed  has  been  preserved. 

The  other  subject  on  v/hich  his  views  v.ere  disclosed, 
■vVas  a  bill  granting  an  annual  appropriation  for  clothing, 
as  military  men  term  it,  the  fortifications — for  procuring 
and  placing  ordnance  for  the  defence  of  our  fortified  posi-. 
tions.  On  this  occasion  General  Jackson  delivered  to  the 
senate,  and  to  a  crowded  auditory  in  the  gallery  and  in  the 
lobby,  an  able  exposition  of  his  views.  He  proceeded  to 
show  the  reliance  which  even  of  necessity,  at  the  onset  of 
war,  this  country  would  have  to  repose  on  the  militia;  and 
of  the  importance  of  our  fortifications  in  holding  an  ene- 
my in  check  until  the  force  of  the  country  could  be  pre- 
pared and  concentrated,  and  her  resources  called  efficient- 
ly forth.  He  occupied  the  floor  for  about  thirty  or  forty 
minutes,  and  during  that  time  commanded  the  marked  at- 
tention of  the  senate,  many  of  whom  were  afterwards 
heard  to  pronounce  what  he  had  said  to  be  full  of  elocu- 
tion and  practical  illustration.  He  concluded  his  remarks 
with  the  following  beautiful  expression  :  "  Do  these  things, 
Mr.  President,  and  hereafter,  my  life  on  it,  the  combined 
fieets  of  Europe  shall  float  in  your  M-aters  as  harmless  as 
the  sw'an  that  sw4ms  around  their  ships."  This  speech 
never  appeared — it  was  lost:  it  was  delivered  at  a  time 
when  those  who  acted  as  reporters,  operated  upon  perhaps 
by  political  considerations,  felt  no_  solicitude  to  present 
Jackson  in  any  other  aspect  than  a  meritorious  and  gallant 
soldier  on  the  battle  field,  without  the  qualities  and  qua- 
lifications of  a  citizen  or  statesman  :  even  now  it  is  argued 
and  maintained,"  there  all  his  merit  lies."  Who  relies  upon 
this  as  correct,  disregards  facts,  or  else  is  ignorant  of  the 
man.  With  a  mind  that  stops  not  to  consult  the  minor 
arrangements  and  order  of  orthography  to  the  extent  that 
others  do,  of  more  scholastic  and  synthetically  trained 
habits,  he  moves  industriously  and  onward  to  his  purpose 
and  to  his  conclusions,  while  for  strength  of  thought  and 
expression,  and  with  a  method  so  plain  and  lucid  that  all 
who  read  can  understand,  it  is  believed  he  has  few  supe- 
riors. Equivocal  or  ambiguous  in  nothing,  he  writes  and 
speaks  so  clearly  and  plainly,  as  that  none  to  comprehend 
him  are  compelled  to  a  second  reading,  or  to  ask  a  further 


316  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON. 

repetition  of  his  remarks.  All  who  are  acquainted  with  him 
admit  his  superior  powers  of  perception  and  judgment, 
with  a  quickness  and  despatch  in  business,  equalled  by 
few,  and  surpassed  by  none;  while  his  manners  are  of  the 
most  easy,  familiar  and  polished  cast :  and  yet  such  is  the 
present  politically  excited  state  of  the  times,  that  he  is  re- 
presented, and  many  believe  it,  of  a  very  converse  charac- 
ter, of  different  deportment — *' a  military  chieftain,'*  and 
jnere  soldier,  fit  only  for  the  battle  strife.  A  successful  ge- 
neral at  the  head  of  an  army  m^st  be  gifted  with  intelligence 
and  a  mind  of  a  superior  order  ;  for  without  these  it  is  con- 
fidently believed,  no  man  ever  did,  or  ever  can  make  a  dis- 
tinguished commander.  There  is  no  situation,  which  than 
this,  requires  a  higher  exercise  of  the  mental  faculties, 
especially  where  the  forces  to  be  commanded  consist  of 
militia,  always  uninformed  in  the  science  of  war,  and  not 
unfrequently  insubordinate  and  dissatisfied.  It  was  with 
troops  of  this  description  that  General  Jackson,  during 
his  whole  career,  was  almost  exclusively  compelled  to  ope- 
rate ;  and  yet  no  general  was  ever  niore  successful,  or  lost 
fewer  men,  considering  the  numerous  battles  by  him  fought 
and  won.  Ever  cautious,  and  sparing  of  the  lives  of  his 
soldiers,  this  curious  and  strange  fact  is  presented,  that  in 
all  his  campaigns  and  different  battles  fought,  the  number 
of  his  killed  and  wounded  is  less  than  five  hundred,  while 
that  of  the  different  enemies  he  contended  with,  savage  and 
civilized,  could  have  been  nothing  short  of  five  or  six  thou- 
sand. This  could  never  have  been  effected  apart  from  the 
exercise  of  superior  caution,  mind  and  judgment,  and  a 
vigilance  most  unremitting. 

Andrew  Jackson  is  no  military  chieftain.  He  was  not 
bred  a  soldier,  or  reared  to  the  profession  of  arms:  the 
eclat  he  acquired,  and  the  success  which  uniformly  has  at- 
tended him,  and  which  eminently  has  redounded  to  the 
honour  and  advantage  of  his  country,  resulted  from  his 
alertness  and  untiring  industry,  and  from  that  intuitive 
superiority  of  mind  and  judgment  which  in  any  other  situa- 
tion where  he  might  be  placed,  would  equally  carry  him 
to  similar  prosperous  results.  In  war,  the  dependance  of 
our  country  must  be  upon  her  citizens ;  and  the  greatest 
incentive  to  action  is,  that  posts  and  places  of  the  first  dis- 
tinction are  open  to  all ;  merit  is  the  alone  passport;  and  this 
being  possessed,  the  road  to  preferment  lies  unobstructed. 
Let  it,  however,  be  understood,  that  he,  who  amidst  the  din 


SEMINOLE  WAR.  317 

and  strife  of  war,  by  energy  and  perseverance,  and  conti- 
nued success,  attains  to  high  distinction,  shall  in  conse- 
quence, afterwards  be  rejected  from  places  of  trust  in  civil 
life,  and  if  the  tendency  of  such  decision  be  not  to  destroy, 
it  must  at  least  paralyze  exertion  in  our  future  contests.  The 
sweetest  solace  to  a  soldier  for  the  privations  and  dangers 
encountered  in  war,  is  that  his  acts  will  be  appreciated, 
and  gratefully  remembered  by  his  countrymen.  It  is  this 
emulation  and  pride  of  feeling  which  constitutes  a  citadel 
impregnable  to  the  rudest  assaults  of  despotism.  Take  it 
away;  let  the  name  of  citizen  soldier  become  a  term  of  re- 
proach, a  species  of  ostracism,  a  disqualification  to  office, 
and  liberty  and  the  rights  of  man  will  presently  be  known 
*'  no  more  for  ever. "  While  the  lofty  spirit  of  Roman  citi- 
zens remained,  Rome  knew  no  conqueror,  no  superior. 
While  posts  of  honour  and  office  in  France  stood  open  and 
accessible  to  merit,  from  whatever  quarter  arising,  and 
every  citizen  felt  himself  a  component  part  of  the  govern- 
ment, the  name  of  Frenchman  was  but  another  term  for 
invincible :  and  so  must  it  ever  be  !  For  all  time  to  come 
will  it  be  found,  that  while  freemen  are  giants,  slaves  and 
dependants  are  but  mere  dwarfs  in  their  country's  de- 
fence. But  that  man  is  without  freedom  and  privilege, 
who  is  denied  the  possession  of  a  right  through  want  of 
any  qualification  other  than  what  the  constitution  and  laws 
require ;  and  still  more  is  he  without  them  when  the  dis- 
qualification sought  to  be  imposed,  shall  be  the  result  of 
motive — of  prejudice  towards  him,  produced  from  efforts 
made  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  for  defending  her  against 
aggression,  and  in  rescuing  her  from  the  grasp  of  an  inva- 
ding and  powerful  foe.  Establish  the  principle :  let  the 
term  successful  commander  become  one  of  reproach,  pro- 
scription, of  disqualification  to  office,  and  civil  trust,  and 
who  shall  be  found  to  fight  our  future  battles  ?  Love  of 
country  will  then  abate,  and  brave,  and  gallant,  and  enter- 
prising men,  that  only  safe  rampart,  where  liberty  can 
securely  repose,  will  in  moments  of  trial,  in  vain  be  sought 
for. 

D  d  2 


KOTSS. 

(A) 
Proclamation  of  colonel  NichoUs  to  the  soutliern  and  western  inhabitants. 

Natives  of  Louisiana!  on  you  the  first  call  is  made,  to  assist  in 
liberating"  from  a  faithless,  imbecile  government,  your  paternal  soil: 
Spaniai-ds,  Frenchmen,  Italians,  and  British,  whether  settled,  or  re., 
siding  for  a  time  in  Louisiana,  on  you,  also,  I  call,  to  aid  me  in  thig 
just  cause :  the  American  usurpation  in  this  country  must  be  abolish- 
ed, and  the  lawful  owners  of  the  soil  put  in  possession.  I  am  at  the 
head  of  a  large  body  of  Indians,  well  armed,  disciplined,  and  com- 
manded by  British  officers— a  good  tr^n  of  artillery,  with  every 
requisite,  seconded  by  the  powerful  aid  of  a  numerous  British  and 
Spanish  squadron  of  ships  and  vessels  of  war.  Be  not  alarmed,  in- 
habitants of  the  country,  at  our  approach;  the  same  good  faith  and 
disinterestedness,  which  has  distinguished  the  conduct  of  Britons  in 
Europe,  accompanies  them  here;  you  will  have  no  fear  of  litigious 
taxes  imposed  on  you  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  unnatural  and 
unjust  war;  your  property,  your  laws,  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of 
your  country,  wiU  be  guaranteed  to  you  by  men  who  will  suffer  no 
infringement  of  theirs;  rest  assured  that  these  brave  red  men  only 
burn  with  an  ardent  desire  of  satisfaction  for  the  wrongs  they  have 
suffered  from  the  Americans;  to  join  you  in  liberating  these  southern 
provinces  from  their  yoke,  and  drive  them  into  those  limits  formerly 
prescribed  by  my  sovereign.  The  Indians  have  pledged  themselves, 
in  the  most  solemn  manner,  not  to  injure,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the 
persons  or  properties  of  any  but  enemies.  A  flag  over  any  door, 
whether  Spanish,  French,  or  British,  will  be  a  certain  protection; 
nor  dare  any  Indian  put  his  foot  on  the  threshold  thereof,  under 
penalty  of  death  from  his  own  countrymen;  not  even  an  enemy  will 
an  Indian  put  to  death,  except  resisting  in  arms;  and  as  for  injuring 
helpless  women  and  children,  the  red  men,  by  their  good  conduct, 
and  treatment  to  them,  will  (if  it  be  possible)  make  the  Americans 
blush  for  their  more  inhuman  conduct,  lately  on  the  Escambia,  and 
within  a  neutral  territory. 

Inhabitants  of  Kentucky,  you  hav«  too  long  borne  with  grievous 
impositions — the  whole  brunt  of  the  war  has  fallen  on  your  brave 
sons;  be  imposed  on  no  longer,  but  either  range  yourselves  under  the 
standard  of  your  forefathers,  or  observe  a  strict  neutrality.  If  you 
comply  with  either  of  these  offers,  whatever  provisions  you  send 
down,  will  be  paid  for  in  dollars,  and  the  safety  of  the  persons  bring- 
ing it,  as  well  as  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  guaranteed 
to  you. 


320  NOTES. 

Men  of  Kentucky,  let  me  call  to  your  view  (and  I  trust  to  your 
abhorrence)  the  conduct  of  those  factions  which  hurried  you  into 
this  civil,  unjust,  and  unnatural  war,  at  a  time  when  Great  Britain  wa3 
straining-  every  nerve,  in  defence  of  her  own,  and  the  liberties  of  the 
world — when  the  bravest  of  her  sons  were  fighting  and  bleeding-  in 
so  sacred  a  cause — when  she  was  spending  milhons  of  her  treasure 
in  endeavouring  to  pull  down  one  of  the  most  foraiidable  and  danger- 
ous tyrants  that  ever  disgraced  the  form  of  man — when  groaning 
Europe  was  almost  in  her  last  gasp — when  Britons  alone  showed  an 
imdaunted  front — basely  did  those  assassins  endeavour  to  stab  her 
from  the  rear;  she  has  turned  on  them,  renovated  from  tlie  bloody, 
but  successful  struggle — Eiu-ope  is  happy  and  free,  and  she  now 
hastens,  justly,  to  avenge  the  unprovoked  insult.  Show  tliem  that 
you  are  not  collectively  unjust:  leave  that  contemptible  few  to  shift  for 
themselves;  let  those  slaves  of  the  tyrant  send  an  embassy  to  Elba, 
and  implore  his  aid;  but  let  every  honest,  upright  American  spurn 
them  with  united  contempt.  After  the  experience  of  twenty-one 
years,  can  you  longer  support  those  bi-awlers  for  iibci-ty,  who  call  it 
freedom,  when  themselves  are  free  i*  Be  no  longer  their  dupes — ac- 
cept of  my  offers — ever}"  thing  1  have  promised  in  this  paper,  I 
gxiarantee  to  you,  on  the  sacredhonour  of  a  British  officer. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  my  hecul-quarters, 
Pensacola,  this  29th  day  of  August,  181 1. 

EDWATin  NTCHOI.LS. 


(B) 

Letter  to  commodore  Daniel  T.  Patterson. 

Pensacola,  Ath  December,  1814. 

SiK — ^I  feel  it  a  duty  to  apprise  }ou  of  a  very  large  force  of  the 
enemy  off  this  port,  and  it  is  generally  understood  New  Orleans  is 
the  object  of  attack.  It  amounts,  at  present,  to  about  eighty  vessels, 
and  more  than  double  that  number  are  momentarily  looked  for,  to 
form  a  junction,  when  an  immediate  commencement  of  their  opera- 
tions will  take  place,  I  am  not  able  to  learn  how,  when,  or  where 
the  attack  will  be  made;  but  I  understand  that  they  have  vessels  of 
all  descriptions,  and  a  large  body  of  troops.  Admiral  Cochrane  com- 
mands; and  his  ship,  the  Tonnant,  lies,  at  this  moment,  just  outside 
the  bar.  They  certainly  appear  to  have  swept  the  West  Indies  of 
troops,  and  probably  no  means  will  be  left  untried  to  obtain  their  ob- 
ject.    The  admiral  arrived  only  yesterday  noon. 

I  am  yours,  8cc. 

N  •  *   *. 


NOTES.  321 

(C) 

Letter  from  Charles  K.  Blanchard  to  general  Jackson. 

New  Orlxajjs,  March,  20,  1814. 
Sir — I  have  the  honour,  agreeably  to  your  request,  to  state  to  your 
excellency,  in  writing",  the  substance  of  a  conversation  that  occurred 
between  quarter-master  Peddie,  of  the  British  army,  and  myself,  on 
tlie  11th  instant,  on  board  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ship  Hei-ald.  Quar- 
ter-master Peddie  observed,  that  the  commanding  officers  of  the  Bri- 
tish forces  were  daily  in  the  receipt  of  every  information  from  the 
city  of  New  Orleans,  which  they  might  require,  in  aid  of  their  ope- 
rations, for  the  completion  of  the  objects  of  the  expedition; — that 
they  were  perfectly  acquainted  with  the*  situation  of  every  part  of 
our  forces,  the  manner  in  which  the  same  was  situated,  the  number 
of  om*  fortifications,  their  strength,  position,  &c.  As  to  the  battery 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  he  described  its  situation,  its  dis- 
tance from  the  main  post,  and  promptly  offered  me  a  plan  of  the 
works.  He  fuilhermore  stated,  that  the  above  information  was  re- 
ceived from  seven  or  eight  persons,  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  from 
whom  he  could,  at  any  hour,  procure  every  infoniiation  necessary  to 
promote  his  majesty's  interest. 


(D) 


Address  of  major-generalJacksoii,  on  the  8th  of  January,  to  the  troops  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  river. 

While,  by  the  blessing  of  heaven,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  victo- 
ries  was  obtained  by  the  troops  under  my  immediate  command,  no 
words  can  express  the  mortification  I  felt,  at  witnessing  the  scene 
exhibited  on  the  opposite  bank.  I  will  spare  your  feehngs  and  my 
own,  nor  enter  into  detail  on  the  subject.  To  all  who  reflect,  it  must 
be  a  source  of  eternal  regret,  that  a  few  moments'  exertion  of  that 
courage  you  certainly  possess,  was  alone  wanting  to  have  rendered 
your  success  more  complete  tlian  that  of  your  fellow-citizens  in  this 
camp.  To  what  cause  was  the  abandonment  of  your  lines  owing  ^ 
To  fear?  No!  You  are  the  countrymen,  the  friends,  the  brothers  of 
those  who  have  secured  to  themselves,  by  their  courage,  the  grati- 
tude of  their  country?  who  have  been  prodigal  of  their  blood  in  its 
defence,  and  who  are  strangers  to  any  other  fear  than  disgi-ace.  To 
disaffection  to  our  glorious  cause  ?  No,  my  countrymen,  your  gen- 
eral does  justice  to  the  pure  sentiments  by  which  you  are  inspired. 
How  then  could  brave  men,  firm  in  the  cause  in  which  they  were 
enrolled,  neglect  their  first  duty,  and  abandon  the  post  committed  to 
their  care?  The  want  of  discipUne,  the  want  of  order,  a  total  disre- 
gard to  obedience,  and  a  spirit  of  insubordination,  not  less  destinictive 
than  cowardice  itself,  are  the  causes  which  led  to  this  disaster,  and 
they  must  be  eradicated,  or  I  must  cease  to  command.     I  desire  to 


322  NOTES. 

be  distinctly  understood,  that  every  breach  of  orders,  sJl  want  of 
discipline,  every  inattention  to  duty,  will  be  seriously  and  promptly 
punished ;  that  the  attentive  officers,  and  good  soldiers,  may  not  be 
mentioned  in  the  disgrace  and  danger  which  the  negligence  of  a  few 
may  produce.  Soldiei*s!  you  want  only  the  will,  in  order  to  emulate 
the  glory  of  your  fellow-citizens  on  tliis  bank  of  the  river — you  have 
the  same  motives  for  action;  the  same  interest,  the  same  country  to 
protect;  and  you  have  an  additional  interest,  from  past  events,  to  wipe 
off  reproach,  and  show  that  you  will  not  be  inferior,  in  the  day  of 
trial,  to  any  of  your  countrymen. 

But  remember!  witliout  obedience,  without  order,  without  disci- 
phne,  all  your  efforts  are  vain.  The  brave  man,  inattentive  to  his 
duty,  is  worth  little  more  to  liis  country  than  the  coward  who  deserts 
her  in  the  hour  of  danger.^  Private  opinions,  as  to  the  competency 
of. officers,  must  not  be  indulged,  and  still  less  expressed;  it  is  impos- 
sible that  the  measures  of  those  who  command  should  satisfy  all  who 
are  bound  to  obey;  and  one  of  the  most  dangerous  faults  in  a  soldier, 
is  a  disposition  to  criticise  and  blame  the  orders  and  characters  of  his 
superiors.  Soldiers!  I  know  that  many  of  you  have  done  your  duty; 
and  I  trust,  in  future,  I  shall  have  no  reason  to  make  any  exception. 
Officers!  I  have  the  fullest  confidence  that  you  will  enforce  obedi- 
ence to  your  commands;  but,  above  all,  that  by  subordination  in 
your  different  grades,  you  will  set  an  example  to  your  men;  and  that, 
hereafter,  the  army  of  the  right  will  yield  to  none  in  the  essential 
quaUties  which  characterize  good  soldiers; — that  they  will  earn  their 
share  of  those  honours  and  rewards  which  their  country  will  prepare 
for  its  deliverers.         , 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

Major- General  commmanding 


(E) 

Address  delivered  to  major-general  Andreic  Jackson,  by  the  7'everend  fV 
Duhourg,  administrate  apostolic  of  the  diocess  of  Louisiana. 

General, — While  tlie  slate  of  Louisiana,  in  the  joyful  transports 
of  her  gratitude,  hails  you  as  her  deliverer,  and  the  nsserter  of  her 
menaced  hberties — whDe  grateful  America,  so  lately  wrapped  up  in 
anxious  suspense,  for  the  fate  of  this  important  city,  is  re-echoing  from 
shore  to  shore  yoiu*  splendid  achievements,  and  preparing  to  Inscribe 
your  name  on  her  immortal  rolls,  among  those  of  her  Washingtons — 
while  liistoiy,  poetry,  and  the  monumental  arts,  will  vie  in  consigning 
to  the  admiration  of  the  latest  posterity,  a  triumph  perhaps  unparal- 
leled in  their  records — while  thus  raised,  by  universal  acclamation, 
to  the  very  pinnacle  of  fame,  how  easy  had  it  been  for  you,  general, 
to  forget  the  Prime  Mover  of  your  wonderful  successes,  and  to  as- 
sume to  yourself  a  praise,  which  must  essentially  return  to  that  ex- 
alted source  whence  every  merit  is  derived.  But,  better  acquainted 
with  the  nature  of  true  glory,  and  justly  placing  the  summit  of  your 


NOTES.  323 

ambition,  in  approving  yourself  the  worthy  instrument  of  Heaven's 
merciful  desigiis,  the  first  impulse  of  your  religious  heart  was  to  ac- 
knowledge the.  signal  interposition  of  Providence — your  first  step,  a 
solemn  display  o^  your  humble  sense  of  his  favours. 

Still  agitated  at  the  remembrance  of  those  dreadful  agonies,  from 
wliich  we  have  been  so  mii'aculously  rescued,  it  is  our  pride  to  ac- 
knowledge, that  the  Almighty  has  truly  had  the  principal  hand  in  our 
deliverance,  and  to  follow  you,  general,  in  attributing  to  his  infinite 
goodness,  the  homage  of  our  unfeigned  gratitude.  Let  the  infatuated 
votary  of  a  blind  chance  deride  our  credulous  simplicity;  let  the  cold- 
hearted  Atheist  look  for  the  explanation  of  important  events  to  the 
mere  concatenation  of  human  causes:  to  us,  the  whole  universe  is 
loud  in  proclaiming  a  Supreme  Ruler,  who,  as  he  holds  the  hearts  of 
men  in  his  hands,  holds  also  the  thread  of  all  contingent  occurrences. 
"Whatever  be  His  intermediate  agents,"  says  an  illustrious  prelate, 
"  still  on  the  secret  orders  of  His  all-ruling  providence,  depend  the 
rise  and  prosperity,  as  well  as  the  decline  and  downfall  of  empires. 
From  His  lofty  throne,  he  moves  every  scene  below,  now  curbing, 
now  letting  loose,  the  passions  of  men;  now  infusing  His  own  wisdom 
into  the  leaders  of  nations;  now  confounding  their  boasted  prudence, 
and  spreading  upon  their  councils  a  spirit  of  intoxication  ;  and  thus 
executing  His  uncontrollable  judgments  on  the  sons  of  men,  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  His  own  unerring  justice." 

To  Hiniy  therefore,  our  most  fervent  thanks  are  due,  for  our  late 
Unexpected  rescue.  It  is  Him  we  intend  to  praise,  when  considering 
you,  general,  as  the  man  of  his  right  hand,  whom  he  has  taken  pains 
to  fit  out  for  the  important  commission  of  our  defence.  We  extol 
that  fecundity  of  genius,  by  which,  under  the  most  discouraging  dis- 
tress, you  created  unforeseen  resources,  raised,  as  it  were,  from  the 
ground,  hosts  of  intrepid  warriors,  and  provided  every  vulnerable 
point  with  ample  means  of  defence.  To  Him  we  trace  that  instinc- 
tive superiority  of  your  mind,  which  at  once  rallied  around  you  uni- 
versal confidence;  impressed  one  irresistible  movement  to  all  the 
jarring  elements  ofwhichthispohtical  machine  is  composed;  aroused 
their  slumbering  spu-its,  and  diffused  through  eveiy  rank  the  noble 
ardour  which  glowed  in  your  own  bosom.  To  Him,  in  fine,  we  ad- 
dress our  acknowledgments  for  that  consummate  prudence  which 
defeated  all  the  combinations  of  a  sagacious  enemy,  entangled  him  in 
the  very  snared  which  he  had  spread  for  us,  and  succeeded  in  effect- 
ing his  utter  destruction,  without  exposing  the  lives  of  our  citizens. 
Immortal  thanks  be  to  His  Supreme  Majesty,  for  sending  us  such  an 
instrument  of  His  bountiful  designs!  A  gift  of  that  value  is  the  best 
token  of  the  continuance  of  His  protection — the  most  solid  encour- 
agement to  sue  for  new  favours.  The  first  which  it  emboldens  us 
humbly  to  supplicate,  as  nearest  our  throbbing  hearts,  is,  that  you 
may  long  enjoy  the  honour  of  your  grateful  country;  of  which  you 
will  permit  us  to  present  you  a  pledge,  in  this  wreath  of  laurel,  the 
prize  of  victory,  the  symbol  of  immortality.  The  next  is  a  speedy 
and  honourable  termination  of  the  bloody  contest  in  which  we  are 
engaged.  No  one  has  so  efficaciously  laboxired  as  you,  general,  for 
the  acceleration  of  that  blissful  period;  may  we  soon  reap  that  sweet- 
est fruit  of  your  splendid  and  uninterrupted  victories. 


^'»24  NOTES. 

General  Jackson^s  Reply. 

Reveuestd  Sin, — I  receive,  with  gi-atitude  and  pleasure,  the  sym- 
bolical crown  which  piety  has  prepared.  I  receive  it  in  the  name 
of  the  brave  men  who  have  so  effectually  seconded  my  exertions; — 
they  well  deserve  the  laiu-els  which  their  country  will  bestow. 

For  myself,  to  have  been  instrumental  in  the  delivei*ance  of  such  a 
country,  is  the  greatest  blessing-  that  heaven  could  confer.  That  it 
has  been  effected  with  so  little  loss— that  so  few  tears  should  cloud 
the  smiles  of  our  triumph,  and  not  a  cypress  4eaf  be  interwoven  in 
the  wreath  which  you  present,  is  a  source  of  the  most  exquisite 
pleasure. 

I  thank  you,  reverend  sir,  most  sincerely,  for  the  prayers  which 
you  offer  up  for  my  happiness.  May  those  j'our  patriotism  dictates, 
for  our  beloN'ed  country,  be  first  heard:  and  may  mine,  for  your  in- 
dividual prosperity,  as  well  as  that  of  the  congregation  committed  to 
your  care,  be  favoui-ably  received — the  prosperity,  wealth,  and  hap- 
piness of  this  city,  will  then  be  commensurate  with  the  coui*age  and 
other  qualities  of  its  inhabitants. 


(F) 

f.i7i.nver  submitted  by  major-geniral  Jackson,  on  a  rule  to  show  cause  why 
an  attachment  for  contempt  should  twi  issue  against  him. 

Without  submitting  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  com-t,  or  acknow- 
ledging the  regularity  of  its  proceedings,  but  expressly  denying  the 
same — in  order  to  give  a  fair  and  true  exposition  of  his  conduct,  on 
every  occasion  in  which  it  may  be  drawn  into  question — This  Re- 
spondent saith. 

That  previously  to,  and  soon  after,  his  arrival  in  this  section  of  the 
seventh  military  district,  he  received  several  letters  and  communica- 
tions, putting  him  on  his  guard  against  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  state,  the  legislature,  and  foreign  emissaries  in  the  city.  Tlie 
population  of  the  country  was  represented  as  divided  by  political 
parties  and  national  prejudices:  a  gi-eat  portion  of  them  attxiched  to 
foreign  powers  and  disaffected  to  the  government  of  tlieir  own  coun- 
try, and  some,  as  totally  unwortliy  of  confidence.  The  militia  was 
described  as  resisting  the  authority  of  their  commandei'-in-cliief,  and 
encouraged  intheir  disobedience  by  the  legislature  of  the  state.  Tiiat 
legislature  characterized  as  politically  rotten,  and  the  whole  st;\te  in 
such  a  situation  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  look  for  defence  princi- 
pally from  the  regular  troops,  and  the  militia  from  other  st;ites. 
Among  those  representations,  the  most  important,  from  the  official 
station  of  the  writer,  were  those  of  the  governor.  On  the  8th  of 
August,  1814,  he  says — 

"On  a  late  occasion  I  had  the  mortification  to  acknowledge  my 
inability  to  meet  a  requisition  from  general  Flournoy;  the  corps  of 
this  city  having,  for  the  most  part,  resisted  my  orders,  being  encour- 


NOTES,  325 

aged  in  their  disobedience  by  the  legislature  of  the  state,  then  in  ses- 
sion; one  branch  of  which,  the  senate,  having  declared  the  requisi- 
tion illegal  and  oppressive,  and  the  house  of  representatives  having 
rejected  a  propositon  to  approve  the  measure.  How  far  I  shall  be 
supported  in  my  late  orders,  remains  yet  to  be  proved.  I  have  rea- 
son to  calcidate  upon  the  patriotism  of  the  interior  and  western 
countries.  1  know  also  that  there  are  many  faithful  citizens  in  Nev/ 
Orleans;  but  there  are  others,  in  whose  attachment  to  the  United 
States  I  ought  not  to  confide.  Upon  tlie  whole,  sir,  I  cannot  disguise 
the  fact,  that  if  Louisiana  should  be  attacked,  we  must  principally 
depend  for  security  upon  the  prompt  movement  of  the  regular  force 
under  your  command,  and  the  militia  of  the  western  states  and  terri- 
tories. At  this  moment,  we  are  in  a  very  unprepared  and  defenceless 
condition:  several  impoi-tant  points  of  defence  remain  unoccupied, 
and  in  case  of  a  sudden  attack,  this  capital  would,  I  fear,  fall  an 
easy  sacrifice." 

On  the  12th  of  the  same  month,  the  respondent  was  told — 
**  On  the  native  Americans,  and  a  vast  majority  of  the  Creoles  of 
the  country,  I  place  much  confidence,  nor  do  I  doubt  the  fidelity  of 
many  Europeans,  who  have  long  resided  in  the  country;  but  there 
are  others,  much  devoted  to  the  interest  of  Spain,  and  whose  par- 
tiality to  the  English  is  not  less  observable  than  their  dislike  to  the 
American  government." 

In  a  letter  of  the  24th,  the  same  ideas  are  repeated — 
"  Be  assured,  sir,  that  no  exertions  shall  be  wanting,  on  my  part; 
but  I  cannot  disguise  from  you,  that  1  have  a  very  difl[icult  people  to 
manage:  to  this  moment,  no  opposition  to  the  requisition  has  mani- 
fested itself,  but  I  am  not  seconded  with  that  ardent  zeal,  which,  in 
my  opinion,  the  crisis  demands.  We  look  with  gi-eat  anxiety  to  your 
movements,  and  place  our  greatest  reliance  for  safety,  on  the  energy 
and  patriotism  of  the  western  states.  In  Louisiana,  there  are  many 
faithful  citizens;  these  last  persuade  themselves,  that  Spain  vv'ill  soon 
repossess  herself  of  Louisiana,  and  they  seem  to  beUeve,  that  a  com- 
bined Spanish  and  English  force  will  soon  appear  on  our  coast. 
If  Louisiana  is  invaded,  I  shall  put  myself  at  the  head  of  such  of  my 
militia  as  will  follow  me  to  the  field,  and,  o'a  receiving,  shall  obey  your 
orders.  I  need  not  assure  you  of  my  entire  confidence  in  you,  as  a 
commander,  and  of  the  pleasure  I  shall  experience  in  supporting  all 
your  measures  for  the  common  defence;  but,  sir,  a  cause  of  inde- 
scribable chagrin  to  me  is,  that  I  am  not  at  the  head  of  a  willing  and 
united  people:  native  Americans,  native  Louisianians,  Frenchmen, 
and  Spaniards,  with  some  Englishmen,  compose  the  mass  of  the  popu- 
lation— among  them,  there  exists  much  jealousy,  and  as  great  differ- 
ences in  political  sentiments  as  in  their  language  a)id  habits.  But, 
nevertheless,  sir,  if  we  are  supported  by  a  respectable  body  of  regu- 
lar troops,  or  of  western  militia,  I  trust  I  shall  be  able  to  bring  to 
your  aid,  a  v^aliant  and  faithful  corps  of  Louisiana  militia:  but  if  we 
are  left  to  rely  principally  on  our  own  resources,  I  fear  existing  jea- 
lousies will  lead  to  a  distrust  so  general,  that  we  shall  be  able  to 
make  but  a  feeble  resistance." 

On  the  8th  of  September,  the  governor  remarks,  the  spirit  of  dis 

EC 


326  NOTES. 

affection  is  said  to  be  ^eater  than  was  supposed — the  country  is  said 
to  be  filled  with  ^pies  and  traitors.  "  Enclosed  you  have  copies  of  my 
late  general  orders.  They  may,  and  I  trust  will  be  obeyed;  but  to 
this  moment  my  fellow-citizens  have  not  manifested  all  that  union  and 
zeal  the  crisis  demands,  and  their  own  safety  requires.  There  is  in 
this  city  a  much  greater  spirit  of  disaffection  than  I  hud  anticipated; 
and  among-  the  faithful  Louisianians  there  is  a  despondency  which 
palsies  all  my  preparations;  they  see  no  strong  regular  force,  around 
which  they  could  i-ally  with  confidence,  and  they  seem  to  think 
themselves  not  within  the  reach  of  seasonable  assistance  from  the 
western  states.  I  am  assured,  sir,  you  will  make  the  most  judicious 
disposition  of  the  forces  under  your  command;  but  excuse  me  for 
suggesting,  that  the  presence  of  the  seventh  regiment,  at  or  near 
New  Orleans,  will  have  the  most  salutary  effect.  The  garrison  here 
at  present  is  alarmingly  weak,  and  is  a  cause  of  much  regret:  from 
the  great  mixture  of  persons,  and  characters,  in  this  cit}%  we  have 
as  much  to  apprehend  fi-cm  within  as  from  without.  In  arresting  the 
intercourse  between  New  Orleans  and  Pensacola,  you  have  done 
right.  Pensacola  is,  in  fact,  an  enemy's  post,  and  had  our  commer- 
cial intercourse  with  it  continued,  the  supplies  furnished  to  the  ene- 
my would  have  so  much  exhausted  our  own  stock  of  provisions,  as  to 
have  occasioned  the  most  serious  inconvenience  to  oui-selves.  I  was 
on  the  point  of  taking  on  myself  the  prohibition  of  the  trade  with 
Pensacola:  I  had  prepared  a  proclamation  to  that  effect,  and  would 
have  issued  it  the  very  day  I  heard  of  your  interposition.  Enemies 
to  the  country  may  blame  you  for  your  prompt  and  energetic  mea- 
sures; but,  in  the  pers'on  of  every  patriot,  you  will  find  a  supporter. 
I  am  very  confident  of  the  very  lax  police  of  this  city,  and  indeed 
throughout  the  state,  with  respect  to  the  visits  of  strangers.  I  think, 
with  you,  that  our  country  is  filled  with  spies  and  traitors:  I  have 
written  pressinglyon  the  subject  to  the  city  authorities  and  parish 
judges. — I  hope  some  efficient  regulations  will  speedily  be  adopted 
by  the  first,  and  more  vigilance  exerted  for  the  future  by  the  latter.'* 

On  the  19th  of  September,  speaking  of  the  drafts  of  militia,  he 
says — 

"  The  only  difficulty  I  have  hitherto  experienced  in  meeting  the 
requisition,  has  been  in  this  city,  and  exclusively  from  some  European 
Frenchmen,  who,  after  giving  their  adhesion  to  Louis  XVIII,  have, 
through  the  medium  of  the  French  consul,  claimed  exemption  from 
the  drafls,  as  French  subjects.  The  question  of  exemption,  however, 
is  now  under  discussion,  before  a  special  court  of  inquiry,  and  !  am 
not  without  hopes,  that  these  ungrateful  men  may  yet  be  brought  to 
a  discharge  of  their  duties." 

On  the  necessity  of  securing  the  coimtry  against  the  machinations 
of  foreigners,  he,  on  the  4th  of  November,  infoi-med  the  respondent — 

*'  You  have  been  infoi-med  of  tlie  contents  of  an  intercepted  letter, 
written  by  colonel  Colicl,  a  Spanish  officer,  to  captain  Morales,  of 
Peneacola. — This  letter  was  submitted  for  the  opinion  of  the  attorney- 
general  of  the  state,  as  to  measures  to  be  pursued  against  the  writer. 
The  attorney-general  was  opinion,  th.at  the  courts  could  take  no 
cognizance  of  the   same:  but  that  the  governor  might  order  the 


NOTES.  327 

writer  to  leave  the  state,  and  in  case  of  refusal,  to  send  him  cflT  by 
force.  I  accordingly,  sir,  ordered  colonel  Colielto  take  his  departure, 
in  forty -eight  hours,  for  Pensacola,  and  g-ave  him  the  necessary  pass- 
ports. I  hope  this  measure  may  meet  your  approbation.  It  is  a  just 
retaliation  for  the  conduct  lately  observed  by  the  govei'nor  of  Pensa- 
cola, and  may  induce  the  Spaniards,  residing  among  us,  to  be  less 
communicative  upon  those  subjects  which  relate  to  our  mihtary 
movements. 

With  the  impressions  this  correspondence  was  calculated  to  pro- 
duce, the  respondent  amved  in  this  city,  where,  in  different  conver- 
sations, the  same  ideas  were  enforced,  and  he  was  advised,  not  only 
by  the  governor  of  the  state,  but  very  many  influential  persons,  to 
proclaim  martial  law,  as  the  only  means  of  producing  union,  over- 
coming disaffection,  detecting  treason,  and  calling  forth  the  energies 
of  the  country.  This  measure  was  discussed  and  recommended  to 
the  respondent,  as  he  well  recollects,  in  the  presence  of  the  judge 
of  this  hononi-able  court,  who  not  only  made  no  objection,  but  seem- 
ed, by  his  gestures  and  silence,  to  approve  of  its  being  adopted. 
These  opinions,  respectable  in  themselves,  derived  greater  weight 
from  that  which  the  govei-nor  expressed,  of  the  legislature  then  in 
session.  He  represented  their  fidelity  as  ver\'  doubtful;  ascribed  de- 
sign to  their  prolonged  session;  and  appeared  extremely  desirous  that 
they  should  adjourn. 

The  respondent  had  also  been  informed  that,  in  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, the  idea  that  a  very  considerable  part  of  the  state  be- 
longed to  the  Spanish  government,  and  ought  not  to  be  represented, 
had  been  openly  advocated,  and  favourably  heard.  The  co-operation 
of  the  Spaniards  with  the  English,  was,  at  that  time,  a  prevalent 
idea. — This  information,  therefore,  appeared  highly  important.  He 
determined  to  examine,  \vith  the  utmost  care,  aU  the  facts  that  had 
been  communicated  to  him;  and  not  to  act  upon  the  advice  he  had 
received,  until  the  clearest  demonstration  should  have  determined  its 
propriety.  He  v.'as  then  ahnost  an  entire  stranger  in  the  place  he 
was  sent  to  defend,  and  unacquainted  with  the  language  of  a  majori- 
ty of  its  inhabitants.  While  these  circumstances  were  unfavourable 
to  his  obtaining  information,  on  the  one  hand,  they  precluded,  on  the 
other,  a  suspicion  that  his  measures  were  dictated  by  personal  friend 
ship,  private  animosity,  or  party  views.  Uninfluenced  by  such  mo- 
tives, he  began  his  observations.  He  sought  for  information,  and  tp 
obtain  it,  com-municated  with  men  of  every  description.  He  believed 
that  even  then  he  discovered  those  high  qualities,  which  have  since 
distingnished  those  brave  defenders  of  their  country: — that  the 
variety  of  language,  the  difference  of  habit,  and  even  the  national 
prejudices,  which  seemed  to  divide  the  inhabitants,  might  be  made, 
if  properly  directed,  the  source  of  the  most  honourable  emidation. 
DeUcate  attentions  were  necessary  to  foster  this  disposition;  and  the 
highest  energy,  to  restrain  the  effects  that  such  an  assemblage  was 
calculated  to  produce;  he  determined  to  avail  himself  of  both,  and 
with  this  view  called  to  his  aid  the  impulse  of  national  feeling,  the 
higher  motives  of  patriotic  sentiment,  and  the  noble  enthusiasm  of 
valour.     They  operated  in  a  manner  which  history  will  record;  all 


328  NOTES. 

who  could  be  influenced  by  those  feelings,  rallied  without  delay, 
round  the  standard  of  their  country.  Their  efforts,  however,  would 
have  been  unavaiUng-,  if  the  disaffected  had  been  permitted  to  coun- 
teract them  by  their  treason,  the  timid  to  paralyze  them  by  their 
example,  and  both  to  stand  aloof  in  the  hour  of  danger,  and  enjoy 
the  fruit  of  victoi-y,  without  participating  in  the  danger  of  defeat. 

A  disciplined  and  powerful  army  was  on  our  coast,  commanded  by 
officers  of  tried  valour  and  consiunmate  skill;  their  fleet  had  already 
destroyed  the  feeble  defence,  on  which,  alone,  we  could  rely  to  pre- 
vent their  landing  on  our  shores.  Their  point  of  attack  was  uncer- 
tain— a  himdred  inlets  were  to  be  guarded,  by  a  force  not  sufficient 
in  number  for  one;  we  had  no  lines  of  defence;  treason  lurked 
among  us,  and  only  waited  the  moment  of  expected  defeat  to  show 
itself  openly.  Our  men  were  few,  and  of  those  few,  not  all  were 
anned;  our  prospect  of  aid  and  supply  was  distant  and  uncertain;  our 
utter  ruin,  if  we  failed,  at  hand,  and  inevitable;  everything  depend- 
ed on  the  prompt  and  energetic  use  of  the  means  we  possessed — on 
calling  the  whole  force  of  the  community  into  action;  it  was  a  con- 
test for  the  veiy  existence  of  the  state,  and  every  nerve  was  to  be 
strained  in  its  defence.  The  physical  force  of  every  individual,  his 
moral  faculties,  his  property,  and  the  energy  of  his  example,  were 
to  be  called  into  action,  and  instant  action.  No  delay — no  hesitation, 
— no  inquiry  about  rights,  or  a// was  lost:  and  every  thing  dear  to 
man,  his  property,  life,  the  honour  of  his  family,  his  country,  its  con- 
stitution and  laws,  were  swept  away  by  the  avowed  principles,  the 
open  practice  of  the  enemy  with  whom  we  had  to  contend.  Fortifi- 
cations were  to  be  erected,  supphes  procured,  arms  sought  for,  re- 
quisitions made,  the  erfussaries  of  the  enemy  watched,  lurking  trea- 
son overawed,  insubordination  punished,  and  the  contagion  of  cow- 
ardly example  to  be  stopped. 

In  this  crisis,  and  under  a  firm  persuasion  that  none  of  those  ob- 
jects could  be  effected  by  the  exercise  of  the  ordinary  powers  con- 
fided to  him — under  a  solemn  conviction  that  the  country  committed 
to  his  care  could  be  saved  by  that  measure  only  from  utter  ruin — 
under  a  religious  belief,  that  he  was  performing  the  most  important 
and  sacred  duty,  the  respondent  proclaimed  martial  law.  He  intend- 
ed, by  that  measure,  to  supersede  such  civil  powers  as,  in  their  ope- 
ration, interfered  with  those  he  was  obliged  to  exercise.  He  thought, 
in  such  a  moment,  constitutional  forms  must  be  suspended,  for  the 
permanent  preservation  of  constitutional  rights,  and  that  there  could 
be  no  question,  whether  it  were  best  to  depart  for  a  moment,  from 
the  enjoyment  of  our  dearest  privileges,  or  have  them  wrested  from 
us  for  ever.  He  knew,  that  if  the  civil  magistrates  were  permitted 
to  exercise  their  usual  functions,  none  of  the  measures  necessary  to 
avert  the  awful  fate  that  threatened  us,  could  be  expected.  Personal 
liberty  cannot  exist  at  a  time  when  every  man  is  required  to  become 
a  soldier.  Private  property  cannot  be  secured  when  its  use  is  indis- 
pensable to  the  public  safety.  Unlimited  liberty  of  speech  is  incom- 
patible with  the  discipline  of  a  camp ;  and  that  of  the  press  more 
dangerous  still,  when  made  the  vehicle  of  conveying  intelligence  to 
the  enemy,  or  exciting  mutiny  among  the  troops.     To  have  suffered 


NOTES.  329 

the  uncontrolled  enjoyment  of  any  of  those  rights,  during  the  time 
of  the  late  invasion,  would  have  been  to  abandon  the  defence  of  the 
country:  the  civil  magistrate  is  the  guardian  of  those  rights;  and  the 
proclamation  of  martial  law  was  therefore  intended  to  supersede  the 
exercise  of  his  authority,  so  far  as  it  interfered  with  the  necessary 
resti'ictions  of  those  rights;  but  iw  further. 

The  respondent  states  these  principles  explicitly,  because  they 
are  the  basis  of  his  defence,  and  because  a  mistaken  notion  has  been 
circulated,  that  the  declaration  of  martial  law  only  subjected  the 
militia  hi  senice  to  its  operation.  This  would,  indeed,  have  been  a 
very  useless  ceremony,  as  such  persons  v/ere  already  subject  to  it, 
without  the  addition  of  any  other  act.  Besides,  if  the  proclamation 
of  martial  law  were  a  measure  of  necessity, — a  measure,  without  the 
exercise  of  which  the  country  must  unquestionably  have  been  con- 
quered, then  does  it  form  a  complete  justification  for  the  act.  If  it  do 
not,  in  what  manner  will  the  proceeding  by  attachment  for  contempt 
be  justified?  It  is  undoubtedly  and  strictly  a  criminal  prosecution;  and 
the  constitution  declares,  that  in  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused 
shall  have  the  benefit  of  a  trial  by  jiu"y;  yet  a  prosecution  is  even 
now  g'oing  on  in  this  court,  where  no  benefit  is  allowed.  Why^ 
From  the  alleged  necessity  of  the  case,  because  courts  could  not,  it 
is  said,  subsist  without  a  power  to  punish  promptly  by  their  own  act„ 
and  without  the  intervention  of  a  jury.  Necessity  then,  may,  in  some 
cases,  justify  a  departure  from  the  constitution:  and  if,  in  the  doubt- 
ful case  of  avoiding  confusion  in  a  court,  shall  it  be  denied  in  the  se- 
rious one  of  preserving  a  country  from  conquest  and  ruin'*  The  re- 
spondent begs  leave  to  explain,  that  in  using  this  argument,  he  does 
not  mean  to  admit  the  existence  of  necessity  in  the  case  of  attach- 
ment; but  to  show  that  the  principle  of  a  justification  from  necessity 
is  admitted,  even  in  the  weaker  case.  If  the  legislature  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  have  given  to  courts  the  pov.er  to  punish  contempt,  it  is 
no  answer  to  this  defence,  for  the  reason — first,  because  the  woi-ds 
of  the  law  do  not  necessarily  exclude  the  interventionof  a  jury;  and 
secondly,  if  they  do,  the  law  itself  is  contrary  to  the  words  of  the 
constitution,  and  can  only  be  supported  on  the  plea  of  necessity;  to 
which  head  it  is  referred  by  the  English  writers  on  tlie  subject. 

The  only  responsibility  which  has  been  incurred  in  the  present 
case  is  that  which  arises  from  necessity.  This,  the  respondent 
agrees,  m.ust  not  be  doubtful;  it  must  be  apparent,  from  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  or  it  forms  no  justification.  He  submits  all  his 
acts,  therefore,  to  be  tested  by  this  rule. 

To  the  forcible  reasons  which  he  has  detailed,  as  impelling  him 
to  this  measure,  he  ought  to  add,  that  he  has  since,  by  the  confession 
of  the  enemy  himself,  received  aconfinnaticn  of  the  opinions,  which 
he  had  then  good  reason  to  believe;  that  there  were  men  among"  us 
so  depraved,  as  to  give  daily  and  exact  information  of  our  movements, 
and  our  forces;  that  the  number  of  those  persons  was  considerable, 
and  their  activity  unceasing.  The  names  cf  those  wretches  will 
probably  be  discovered;  and  the  respondent  persuades  himself,  that 
this  tribunal  will  employ  itself,  with  greater  satisfaction,  in  inflicting 

E  e  2 


^^^  NOTES. 

the  punishment  due  to  their  crimes,  than  it  now  does  in  investigating 
the  measures  that  were  taken  to  counteract  them. 

If  example  can  justify,  or  the  practice  of  others  sen'e  as  a  proof 
of  necessity,  the  respondent  has  ample  materials  for  his  defence;  not 
from  analogous  construction,  but  from  the  conduct  of  all  the  differ- 
ent departments  of  the  state  government,  in  the  very  case  now  under 
discussion. 

The   legislature  of  the  state,  having  no  constitutional  power  to 

regulate  or  restrain  commerce,  on  the day  of  December  inst 

passed  an  act  laying  an  embargo — the  executive  sanctioned  it,  and, 
from  a  conviction  of  its  necessity,  it  was  acquiesced  in.  The  samd 
legislatiu-e  shut  up  the  courts  of  justice  for  four  months,  to  all  civil 
suitors — the  same  executive  sanctioned  that  law,  and  the  judiciar\' 
not  only  acquiesced,  but  solemnly  approved  it. 

The  governor,  as  appears  by  one  of  the  letters  quoted,  undertook 
to  inflict  the  punishment  of  exile  upon  an  inhabitant,  without  any  form 
of  law,  merely  because  he  thought  that  an  individual's  presence 
might  be  dangerous  to  the  public  safety. 

The  judge  of  this  very  court,  duly  impressed  with  the  emergency 
of  the  moment,  and  the  necessity  of  employing  ever}"^  means  of  de- 
fence, consented  to  the  discharge  of  men  committed  and  indiated  for 
capital  crimes,  without  bail,  and  without  recognizance :  and  probably 
under  an  impression  that  the  exercise  of  his  functions  would  be  use- 
less, absented  himself  from  the  place  where  his  court  was  to  be  hold- 
en,  and  postponed  its  session,  during  a  regular  term. 

Thus  the  conduct  of  the  legislative,  executive,  and  judiciary 
branches  of  the  government  of  this  state,  have  borne  the  fullest  tes- 
timony of  the  existence  of  the  necessity,  on  which  the  respondent 
relies. 

The  unqualified  approbation  of  the  legislature  of  the  United  States, 
and  such  of  the  individual  states  as  were  in  session,  ought  also  to  be 
admitted,  as  no  slight  means  of  defence;  inasmuch  as  all  these  re- 
spectable bodies  were  fully  apprised  of  his  proclamation  of  martial  . 
law,  and  some  of  them  seem  to  refer  to  it,  by  thanking  him  for  the 
energy  of  his  measures. 

The  respondent,  therefore,  believes  he  has  established  the  neces- 
sity of  proclaiming  martial  law.  He  has  shown  the  effects  of  that 
declaration;  and  it  only  remains  to  prove,  in  answer  to  the  inile,  that 
the  power  assumed  from  necessity,  was  not  abused  in  its  exercise, 
nor  improperly  protracted  in  its  duration. 

All  the  acts  mentioned  in  the  rule,  took  place  after  the  enemy 
had  retired  from  the  position  they  had  at  first  assumed — after  they  had 
met  with  a  signal  defeat,  and  after  an  unofficial  account  had  been  re- 
ceived of  the  signature  of  a  treaty  of  peace.  Each  of  these  circura- 
stances  might  be,  to  one  who  did  not  see  the  whole  ground,  a  suffi- 
cient reason  for  supposing  that  further  acts  of  energy'  and  vigour 
were  unnecessary.  On  the  mind  of  the  respondent,  they  had  a  dif- 
ferent effect.  The  enemy  had  retired  from  their  position,  it  is  tnie; 
but  they  were  still  on  the  coast,  and  within  a  few  hours'  sail  of  the 
city.     They  liad  been  defeated,  and  with  loss;  but  that  loss  was  to 


NOTES»  331 

be  repaired  by  expected  reenforcements:  Their  numbers  still  much 
more  than  quadrupled  all  the  regular  forces  which  the  respondent 
could  command;  and  the  term  of  service  of  his  most  efficient  milita 
force  was  about  to  expire.  Defeat,  to  a  powerful  and  active  enemy, 
was  more  likely  to  operate  as  an  incentive  to  renewed  and  increased 
exertion,  than  to  inspire  them  with  despondency,  or  to  paralyze  their 
efforts.  A  treaty,  it  is  true,  had  been  probably  signed;  yet  it  might 
not  be  ratified.  Its  contents  had  not  transpired,  and  no  reasonable  con- 
jecture could  be  formed,  that  it  would  be  acceptable.  The  influence 
which  the  account  of  its  signature  had  on  the  army,  was  deleterious 
in  the  extreme,  and  showed  a  necessity  for  increased  energy,  instead 
of  a  relaxation  of  discipline.  Men,  who  had  shown  themselves  zeal- 
ous in  the  preceding  part  of  the  campaign,  now  became  lukewarm 
in  the  service.  Those  whom  no  danger  could  appal,  and  no  labour 
discourage,  complained  of  the  hardships  of  the  camp.  When  the 
enemy  were  no  longer  immediately  before  them,  they  thought  them- 
selves oppressed,  by  being  detained  in  service.  Wicked  and  weak 
men,  who,  from  their  situation  in  life,  ought  to  have  furnished  a  bet- 
ter example,  secretly  encouraged  this  spirit  of  insubordination.  They 
affected  to  pity  the  hardships  of  those  w^ho  were  kept  in  the  field; 
they  fomented  discontent  by  insinuating  that  the  merits  of  those  to 
whom  they  addressed  themselves,  had  not  been  sufficiently  noticed 
or  applauded;  and  to  so  high  a  degree  had  the  disorder  at  length 
risen,  that  at  one  period,  only  fifteen  men  and  one  officer,  out  of  a 
whole  regiment,  stationed  to  guard  the  very  avenue  through  which 
the  enemy  had  penetrated  into  the  country,  were  found  at  their  post. 
At  another  point  equally  important,  a  whole  corps,  on  which  the 
greatest  reliance  had  been  placed,  operated  upon  by  the  acts  of  a 
foreign  agent,  suddenly  deserted  their  post. 

If,  trusting  to  an  uncertain  peace,  the  respondent  had  revoked  his 
proclamation,  or  ceased  to  act  under  it,  the  fatal  security  by  which 
we  were  lulled,  might  have  destroyed  all  discipline,  have  dissolved 
all  his  force,  and  left  him  without  any  means  of  defending  the  countiy 
against  an  enemy,  instructed,  by  the  traitors  within  our  own  bosom, 
of  the  time  and  place  at  which  he  might  safely  make  his  attack.  In 
such  an  event,  his  life  might  have  been  offered  up;  yet  it  would  have 
been  but  a  feeble  expiation,  for  the  disgi-ace  and  misery,  into  which, 
by  his  criminal  negligence,  he  had  permitted  the  country  to  be 
plunged. 

He  thought  peace  a  probable,  but  by  no  means  a  certain  event.  If 
it  had  really  taken  place,  a  few  days  must  bring  the  official  advice  of 
it;  and  he  beheved  it  better  to  submit,  during  tliose  few  days,  to  the 
salutary  restraints  imposed,  than  to  put  every  thing  dear  to  ourselves 
and  country  at  risk  upon  an  uncertain  contingency.  Admit  the  chances 
to  have  been  a  hundred  or  a  thousand  to  one  in  favour  of  the  ratifi- 
cation, and  against  any  renewed  attempts  of  the  enemy;  what  should 
we  say  or  think  of  the  prudence  of  the  man,  who  would  stake  his 
life,  his  fortune,  his  country,  and  his  honour,  even  with  such  odds  in 
his  favour,  against  a  few  days'  anticipated  enjoyment  of  the  blessings 
of  peace  ?  The  respondent  could  not  bring  himself  to  play  so  deep  a 
hazard;  uninfluenced  by  the  clamours  of  the  ignorant  and  the  design- 


332  NOTES. 

ing,  he  continued  the  exercise  of  that  law  which  necessity  had  compel- 
led him  to  proclaim ;  and  he  still  thinks  himself  justified,  by  the  situation 
of  affairs,  for  the  course  which  he  adopted  and  pursued.  Has  he 
exercised  tliis  power  wantonly  or  improperly^  If  so,  he  is  liable; 
not,  as  he  believes,  to  this  bono  irable  court  for  contempt,  but  to  his 
government  for  an  abuse  of  power,  and  those  individuals  whom  he 
has  injured,  in  damages  proportioned  to  that  injury. 

About  the  period  last  described,  the  consul  of  France,  who  ap- 
pears, by  governor  Claiborne's  letter,  to  have  embarrassed  the  first 
drafts  by  his  claims  in  favour  of  pretended  subjects  of  his  king,  re- 
newed his  interference;  his  certificates  were  given  to  men  in  the 
ranks  of  the  army;  to  some  who  had  never  applied,  and  to  others 
who  wished  to  use  them  as  the  means  of  obtaining  an  inglorious  ex- 
emption from  danger  and  fatigiie.  The  immunity  derived  from  these 
certificates  not  only  tl^nned  the  ranks,  by  the  withdrawal  of  those  to 
whom  they  were  given,  but  produced  the  desertion  of  othei-s,  who 
thought  themselves  equally  entitled  to  the  privilege;  and  to  this 
cause  must  be  traced  the  abandonment  of  the  important  post  of  Chef 
Menteur,  and  the  temporary  refusal  of  a  rehef  ordered  to  occupy  it. 

Under  these  circumstances,  to  remove  the  force  of  an  example 
which  had  already  occasioned  such  dangerous  consequences,  and  to 
punish  those  who  were  so  unwilling  to  defend  what  they  were  so 
ready  to  enjoy,  the  respondent  issued  a  genei-al  order,  directing  those 
French  subjects,  who  had  availed  themselves  of  the  consul's  certifi- 
cates, to  remove  out  of  the  lines  of  defence,  and  far  enough  to  avoid 
any  temptation  of  intercourse  with  our  enemy,  whom  they  were  so 
sci-iipulous  of  oppo.siftg.  This  measure  was  resorted  to,  as  the  mild- 
est mode  of  proceeding  against  a  dangerous  and  increasing  evil;  and 
the  respondent  had  the  less  scruple  of  his  power,  in  this  instance,  as 
it  was  not  quite  so  strong  as  that  which  governor  Claiborne  had  ex- 
ercised, before  the  invasion,  by  the  advice  of  his  attorney -general, 
in  the  case  of  colonel  Cliel. 

It  created,  however,  some  sensation; — discontents  v.'ere  again  fo- 
mented, from  the  source  that  had  first  produced  them.  Aliens  and 
strangers  became  the  most  violent  advocates  of  constitutional  inghts, 
and  native  Americans  were  taught  the  value  of  their  privileges,  by 
those  who  formally  disavowed  any  title  to  their  enjoyment.  The 
order  was  particularly  opposed,  in  an  anonymous  publication.  In 
this,  the  author  deliberately  and  wickedly  misrepresented  tlie  order, 
as  subjecting  to  removal  all  Frenchmen  whatever,  even  those  who 
had  gloriously  fought  in  defence  of  tlie  country;  and,  after  many 
dangerous  and  unwarrantable  declarations,  he  closes,  by  cdling  upon 
all  Frenchmen  to  flock  to  the  standard  of  their  consul — thus  advisin^- 
and  producing  an  act  of  mutiny  and  insubordination,  and  publishing 
the  evidence  of  our  weakness  and  discord  to  the  enemy,  who  were 
still  in  our  vicinity,  anxious,  no  doubt,  before  the  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties, to  wipe  away  the  late  stain  upon  tlieir  arms.  To  have  silently 
looked  on  such  an  offence,  without  making  any  attempt  to  punish  it, 
would  have  been  a  formal  surrender  of  all  discipline,  all  order,  all 
pcnional  dignity,  and  public  safety.  This  could  not  be  done;  and  the 
respondent  immediately  ordered  the  arrest  of  the  offender.     A  v/rit 


NOTESo  333 

of  habeas  corpus  was  directed  to  issue  for  his  enlargement.  The  very 
case  which  had  been  foreseen,  the  very  contingency  on  which  mar- 
tial law  was  intended  to  operate,  had  now  occurred.  The  civil  niag^s- 
trate  seemed  to  think  it  liis  duty  to  enforce  the  enjoyment  of  civil 
rig-hts,  although  the  consequences  which  have  been  described,  would 
probably  have  resulted.  An  unbending  sense  of  what  he  seemed  to 
think  his  station  required,  induced  him  to  order  the  liberation  of  the 
prisoner.  This,  under  the  respondent's  sense  of  duty,  produced  a 
conflict  wliich  it  was  his  wish  to  avoid. 

No  other  course  remained,  than  to  enforce  the  principles  which  he 
had  laid  down  as  his  guide,  and  to  suspend  the  exercise  of  this  judicial 
power,  wherever  it  interfered  with  the  necessary  means  of  defence. 
The  only  way  efPectually  to  do  this,  was  to  place  the  judge  in  a  situa- 
tion in  which  his  interference  could  not  counteract  the  measures  of 
defence,  or  give  countenance  to  the  mutinous  disposition  that  had 
shown  itself  in  so  alarming  a  degree.  Merely  to  have  disregarded 
the  writ,  would  but  have  increased  the  evil,  and  to  have  obeyed  it, 
was  wholly  repugnant  to  the  respondent's  ideas  of  the  public  safety, 
and  to  his  own  sense  of  duty.  The  judge  was  therefore  confined, 
and  removed  beyond  the  lines  of  defence. 

As  to  the  paper  mentioned  in  the  rule,  which  the  respondent  is 
charged  with  taking  and  detaining,  he  answers,  that  when  the  wrk 
was  produced  by  the  clerk  of  this  honourable  court,  the  date  of  its 
issuance  appeared  to  have  been  altered  from  the  5th  to  the  6th.  He 
was  questioned  respecting  the  apparent  alteration,  and  acknowledged 
it  had  been  done  by  judge  Hall,  and  not  in  the  presence  of  the  party 
who  made  the  affidavit.  This  material  alteration,  in  a  paper  that 
concerned  him,  gave  the  respondent,  as  he  thought,  a  right  to  detain 
it  for  further  investigation,  which  he  accordingly  did;  but  gave  a 
certified  copy,  and  an  acknowledgment  that  the  original  was  in  his 
possession. 

The  respondent  aVows,  that  he  considered  this  alteration  in  the 
date  of  the  affidavit,  as  it  was  then  explained  to  him  by  the  clerk,  to 
be  such  evidence  of  a  personal,  not  judicial  interference,  and  activity, 
in  behalf  of  a  man  charged  with  the  most  serious  offence,  as  justified 
the  idea  then  formed,  that  the  judge  approved  his  conduct,  and  sup- 
ported liis  attempts  to  excite  disaffection  among  the  troops. 

This  was  the  conduct  of  the  respondent,  and  these  the  motives 
which  prompted  it.  They  have  been  fairly  and  openly  exposed  to 
this  tribunal,  and  to  the  world,  and  would  not  have  been  accompanied 
by  any  exception  or  waver  of  jurisdiction,  if  it  had  been  deemed  ex- 
pedient to  give  him  that  species  of  trial,  to  which  he  thinks  himself 
entitled,  by  the  constitution  of  his  country.  The  powers  which  the 
exigency  of  the  times  forced  liim  to  assume,  have  been  exercised 
exclusively  for  the  public  good;  and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  they 
have  been  attended  with  unparalleled  success.  They  have  saved 
the  country;  and  whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  that  country,  or 
the  decrees  of  its  courts,  in  relation  to  the  means  he  has  used,  he 
can  never  regret  that  he  employed  them. 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 


334  NOTES. 

Address  to  the  troops  at  New  Orleans^  after  the  annunciation  of  pea 

The  major-general  is  at  length  enabled  to  perform  the  pleasi.ig 
task  of  restoring-  to  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Louisiana,  and  the  territcuy 
of  the  Mississippi,  the  brave  troops  who  have  acted  such  a  distinguish- 
ed part  in  the  war  which  has  just  terminated.  In  restoring  these 
brave  men  to  their  homes,  much  exertion  is  expected  of,  and  great 
responsibility  imposed  on,  the  commanding-  officers  of  the  different 
corps.  It  is  required  of  major-g"enerals  Carroll  and  Thomas,  and 
brigadier-g-eneral  Coffee,  to  march  their  commands,  without  unne- 
cessary delay,  to  their  respective  states.  The  troops  from  the  Mis- 
sissippi territory  and  state  of  Louisiana,  both  militia  and  volunteers, 
v.ill  be  immediately  mustered  out  of  service,  paid,  and  discharg-ed. 

The  major-generalhas  the  satisfaction  of  announcing-  the  approba- 
tion of  the  president  of  the  United  States  to  the  conduct  of  the  troops 
under  his  command,  expressed,  in  flattering-  terms,  throug-h  the  ho- 
nourable the  secretary  at  war. 

In  parting  w  ith  those  brave  men,  whose  destinies  have  been  so 
long  united  with  his  own,  and  in  whose  labours  and  glories  it  is  his 
happiness  and  his  boast  to  have  participated,  the  commanding  general 
can  neither  suppress  his  feelings,  nor  give  uttemnce  to  them  as  he 
ought.  In  what  terms  can  he  bestow  suitable  praise  on  merit  so  ex- 
traordinary, so  unparalleled?  Let  him,  in  one  burst  of  joy,  gratitude, 
and  exultation,  exclaim — "  These  are  the  saviours  of  their  countrv' — 
these  the  patriot  soldiers,  who  triumphed  over  the  invincibles  of 
"VVellington,  and  conqafered  the  conquerors  of  Europe!"  With  what 
patience  did  you  submit  to  privations — with  what  fortitude  did  'you 
endure  fatigue— what  valour  did  you  display  in  the  day  of  battle! 
You  have  secured  to  America  a  proud  name  among  the  nations  of  the 
earth — a  glory  which  will  never  perish. 

Possessing  those  dispositions,  which  equally  adorn  the  citizen  and 
the  soldier,  the  expectations  of  your  country  will  be  met  in  peace,  as 
her  wishes  have  been  gratified  in  war.  Go,  then,  my  brave  com- 
panions, to  your  homes;  to  those  tender  connexions,  and  blissful 
scenes;  which  render  life  so  dear — full  of  honour,  and  crowned  with 
laurels  which  will  never  fade.  When  participating  in  the  bosoms  of 
your  families,  the  enjoyment  of  peaceful  life,  with  what  happiness 
will  you  not  look  back  to  the  toils  you  have  borne — to  the  dangers  you 
have  encountered'  how  will  all  your  past  exposures  be  converted 
into  sources  of  inexpressible  delight?  Who,  that  never  experienced 
your  sufferings,  will  be  able  to  appreciate  your  joys  i*  The  man  who 
slumbered  ingloriously  at  home,  during  your  painful  marches,  your 
nights  of  watchfulness,  and  your  days  of  toil,  will  envy  you  the  hap- 
piness which  these  recollections  will  afford — still  more  will  he  envy 
the  gratitude  of  that  country,  which  you  have  so  eminently  contri- 
buted to  save. 

Continue,  fellow  soldiers,  on  your  passage  to  your  several  destina- 
tions, to  preserve  that  subordination,  that  dignified  and  manly  deport- 
ment, which  have  so  ennobled  your  character. 


NOTES.  335 

While  the  commanding  general  is  thus  giving  indulgence  to  his 
elings,  towards  those  brave  companions,  who  accompanied  him 
n-ough  difficulties  and  dangers,  he  cannot  permitthe  names  of  Blount, 
and  Shelby,  and  Holmes,  to  pass  unnoticed.  With  what  generous 
dixlour  and  patriotism  have  these  distinguished  governors  contributed 
all  their  exertions,  to  provide  the  means  of  victory!  The  recoUeci 
tiou  of  then*  exertions,  and  of  the  success  which  has  resulted,  will  be 
to  them  a  reward  more  grateful  than  any  which  the  pomp  of  title,  or 
the  splendour  of  wealth,  can  bestow. 

What  happiness  it  is  to  the  commanding  general,  that  while  dan- 
ger was  before  him,  he  was,  on  no  occasion,  compelled  to  use  to- 
wards his  companions  in  arms,  either  severity  or  rebuke  !  If,  after 
the  enemy  had  retired,  improper  passions  began  their  empire  in  a 
few  unworthy  bosoms,  and  rendered  a  resort  to  energetic  measures 
necessary  for  their  suppression,  he  has  not  confounded  the  innocent 
with  the  guilty — the  seduced  with  the  seducers.  Towards  you,  fellow- 
soldiers,  the  most  cheering  recollections  exist;  blended,  alas!  with  re- 
gret, that  disease  and  war  should  have  ravished  from  us  so  many 
worthy  companions.  But  the  memory  of  the  cause  in  which  they 
perished,  and  of  the  virtues  which  animated  them  while  Hving,  must 
occupy  the  place  where  sorrow  would  claim  to  dwell. 

Farewell,  fellow-soldiers.  The  expression  of  your  general's  thanks 
is  feeble;  but  the  gratitude  of  a  country  of  freemen  is  yours — ^yours 
the  applause  of  an  admiring  world. 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

Mc^or- General  commanding. 


THE  END, 


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